Adrian BURTA¹

¹Business Administration, Faculty of Economic Sciences, University of Oradea,

Oradea, Romania

burta.adrian@student.uoradea.ro

 Abstract: This paper explores the integration of systems thinking into the study of entrepreneurial ecosystems (EEs), which are conceptualized as complex and adaptive environments comprising interdependent actors and contextual conditions that influence entrepreneurial activity within specific regions. The central research question addresses how systems thinking can deepen our understanding of the structure, dynamics, and evolution of EEs. To answer this, the study adopts a quantitative and empirical approach through a bibliometric analysis of over 1,500 peer-reviewed articles indexed in the Scopus database. The data was processed using Biblioshiny, a web-based interface of the R-based Bibliometrix package, which enabled the mapping of the intellectual structure of the field, including key trends, thematic clusters, co-authorship patterns, and citation networks. The findings reveal a marked increase in scholarly attention toward systemic approaches to entrepreneurship, especially in the past five years. Thematic analysis shows that topics such as innovation, sustainability, and institutional policy frameworks have gained significant prominence. Additionally, co-word analysis highlights the evolving conceptual landscape and the emergence of two dominant research streams: one focused on policy and regional development, and the other on entrepreneurial behaviour and firm strategy. Despite the growing body of work, the field remains fragmented, with a lack of unified theoretical frameworks and limited interdisciplinary integration. This study contributes by emphasizing the relevance of systemic thinking as a holistic analytical lens that captures feedback loops, adaptation, and co-evolution within entrepreneurial ecosystems. These insights are valuable for researchers aiming to build more integrative theories and for policymakers seeking to design resilient and effective support structures for regional entrepreneurship. Ultimately, the research demonstrates that adopting a systems thinking perspective is essential for advancing both academic and practical approaches to entrepreneurship in an increasingly complex global environment.

 Keywords: entrepreneurial ecosystems; systems thinking; bibliometric analysis; economic development

JEL Classification: L26; M13; O31; M20

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