A Basic Bibliometric Review of Research on Arab Female Entrepreneurship

• Published in: Journal of the knowledge economy Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. 2620 - 2649
• Main Authors: Al-Attari, Aref, Essa, Eman Bani, Atari, Fahad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.03.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Artificial intelligence; Bibliometrics; Digital economy; Digital technology; Digital transformation; Economic impact; Economic Policy; Economics; Economics and Finance; Electronic commerce; Entrepreneurship; Financial management; Knowledge economy; R & D/Technology Policy; Sustainable development; Uncertainty; Basic Bibliometrics; Systematic review; Female entrepreneurship; Arab scholarship
• ISSN: 1868-7873; 1868-7865; 1868-7873
• DOI: 10.1007/s13132-024-01905-0

This study aims to provide an evidence-mapping of the knowledge base of Arab female entrepreneurship. It reviews 107 articles on Arab FE published in both Arabic and English language journals between 1990 and 2020. Being a systematic review, this study utilizes the basic bibliometric analysis to uncover the field’s structure and dynamics, gain deeper insights, and enrich conversation on the subject. The results identified some patterns as well as gaps, inter alia the modest contribution of mainstream Arab universities; the tiny number of articles written in the Arabic language; the shyly addressed topics besides some that are totally absent. The results show that the Arab FE scholarship is promising and has the potential to mature should gaps be addressed. This study contributes in many ways. First, it provides a focused analysis of Arab FE research published since the 1990s. In addition, it outlines areas for future research in scholarship on Arab FE. In this sense, it responds to the calls to explore FE in diverse geographical settings, to conduct research that reflects the actual rather than the assumed status quo, and to celebrate the diversity, richness, and complexities of women’s experiences.