Mapping the evolution of entrepreneurial survival research (1984–2023): a scientometric study

Purpose This study aims to map the evolution of entrepreneurial survival (ES) research over a 40-year period (1984–2023) using scientometric techniques. It identifies key themes, influential authors, leading journals and global collaborations to provide a comprehensive overview of the field's intellectual structure and trends. Design/methodology/approach The study employs bibliometric analysis, including co-citation, co-occurrence and bibliographic coupling, using data from 964 Scopus-indexed articles. Tools like VOSviewer, R-package (bibliometrix) and biblioshiny are utilized for science mapping, conceptual structure visualization and trend analysis. Findings Research output surged post-2011, with 2023 marking the highest number of publications (126). The USA, UK and China are the most productive countries, while Europe dominates in citations. Key journals include Small Business Economics, Journal of Business Venturing and International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and Research are the top journals. Motor themes include “innovation,” “entrepreneurial orientation” and “human capital,” while niche themes like “youth education” and “venture survival institutions” emerge. The USA and UK lead in international collaborations, but cross-country linkages remain limited. Studies by Gimeno et al. (1997) and Stuart (1999) are among the most cited, focusing on venture survival determinants. Originality/value This is the first large-scale scientometric analysis of ES research, offering a holistic view of its evolution, gaps (e.g. limited interdisciplinary work) and future directions (e.g. system-level analyses). It bridges bibliometric rigor with actionable insights for academia and practice.