Study goals
The sense of belonging impacts various areas of human life, including entrepreneurship. This paper aims to investigate the literature to identify which themes stand out in the relationship between the sense of belonging and entrepreneurship.
Relevance / originality
The academic literature has largely overlooked the relationship between the sense of belonging and entrepreneurship. This research presents an original, holistic approach, integrating perspectives from various disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, and gender studies.
Methodology / approach
Through a systematic literature review, we identified publications, authors, and concepts, and categorized the research themes found into clusters. The search was conducted in January 2024 using the ISI Web of Knowledge and Scopus databases, selecting articles published between 2019 and 2023
Main results
We identified seven research clusters: immigration, gender, psychology, innovation, social relations, students, and social entrepreneurship. highlight the academic interest in research on immigrants, and the idea that a sense of non-belonging can be positive for female entrepreneurs is emphasized.
Theoretical / methodological contributions
The methodology applied in this systematic literature review proved effective in providing a clear and replicable view of existing studies, allowing the identification of gaps in knowledge and opportunities for future research.
Social / management contributions
We offer clear directions and practical implications for policymakers, educators, and business leaders. Fostering an inclusive environment by encouraging a sense of belonging can be an effective strategy for fostering sustainable and innovative entrepreneurship in times of economic and social uncertainty.