Entrepreneurial skills in education: a bibliometric analysis of Brazilian production

The expansion of connectivity is reshaping people's interactions with the world, influencing consumption patterns and behaviors. In this context, consumers are not only seeking competitive prices but also quality and convenience, thereby presenting challenges to companies. Against this backdrop, Higher Education Institutions play a crucial role in training professionals capable of adapting to market demands and fostering the development of entrepreneurial competencies. This study aimed to investigate how entrepreneurial competencies have been addressed in Brazilian academic literature from 2002 to 2023 and their correlation with education, with a focus on understanding their evolution amid digital transformation. The methodology employed the SciELO, Scopus, and SPELL databases to examine entrepreneurial competencies in the educational context through a bibliometric approach, facilitating the systematic analysis of 49 selected works. These works were processed using Microsoft Excel to ensure data consistency. The analysis revealed that the main journals for publishing on entrepreneurial competencies are the Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business (REGEPE) and the Revista Pensamento Contemporâneo em Administração (PCA). Mapping key researchers highlighted significant contributions from authors such as Lizote, Lenzi, and Zampier to the field. Regional analysis demonstrated a concentration of research in the Southern region of Brazil, particularly in Santa Catarina and Paraná, indicating strong support from local institutions and researchers' interest in promoting entrepreneurship in the region. These findings underscore the crucial role of educational institutions and journals in disseminating knowledge about entrepreneurial competencies, while also indicating opportunities for growth and improvement. Future research should expand its geographical scope within Brazil, especially in the North and Northeast regions, to enhance understanding and develop tailored educational interventions for entrepreneurial skills.