Determinants and consequences of entrepreneurial orientation : lessons and avenues for future research based on a bibliometric study (2001-2016)
The concept of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) appears in the literature as a rigorous and solid scientific construct from which a cumulative and stable body of knowledge can be developed (Rauch, Wiklund, Lumpkin et Frese, 2009). Since the beginning of the 21st century, we have witnessed an exponential development of publications on the theme of OE. A wide range of research published in academic and professional journals has emerged in various contexts to support this growing interest for this subject. It is therefore necessary to understand and structure the OE literature in order to learn the main lessons. That’s why we conduct this bibliometric study which reviews and structures published research on the OE between 2001 and 2016. It aims at identifying the major new research avenues on the subject. This paper focuses on the factors that may favor or inhibit the EO and its main outputs. It answers the following question : what are the interactions/links between the determinants and the consequences of the EO, which are still unexplored in the literature ? To do this, 492 published academic articles are examined using two different methodologies. The first, quantitative based on univariate indicators, draws the landscape on the subject (reviews, methodologies, countries). The second, qualitative based on a thematic analysis (Freeplane software), allows to identify all the determinants and the consequences of the EO, studied in the conceptual, qualitative and quantitative works. Lessons about the interactions between the different factors have been highlighted.