Mapping and thematic analysis of cultural entrepreneurship research

Two decades of cultural entrepreneurship research have passed, but until now relatively little is known about the development of this new field of scientific inquiry. To evaluate the progress, we conduct a large-scale scientometric-based systematic literature review on 350 publications. Results of our mapping analyses show that the research community devoted to cultural entrepreneurship research is rather individualistic and fragmented, characterised by an intense import of theory and a persistent lack of internal orientation. The thematic analysis reveals the emergence of seven dominant themes that can be grouped into three distinct clusters of cultural entrepreneurship research. However, despite recent advances in the academic institutionalisation and the dissemination of themes, the field is still in its infancy. In conclusion, the present study provides tailored recommendations on how to overcome the liabilities the field displays.