Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets: Opportunities and Challenges

Dear Colleagues,

Entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth, innovation, and social transformation in emerging markets. However, entrepreneurs in these contexts face unique challenges, including institutional voids, financing constraints, limited infrastructure, and volatile policy environments. This Special Issue aims to bring together high-quality research that deepens our understanding of entrepreneurial behavior, innovation ecosystems, and firm growth in emerging economies. We invite theoretical, empirical, and policy-oriented studies that examine topics such as access to finance and venture capital, digital transformation and technology adoption, social and sustainable entrepreneurship, the role of government and regulation, informal and microenterprises, and gender and inclusivity in entrepreneurship. Comparative studies between emerging and developed markets are also welcome. The goal of this Special Issue is two-fold: foster a richer understanding of how entrepreneurs identify and exploit opportunities in uncertain and resource-constrained environments; and provide insights that can inform policymakers, practitioners, and scholars. In this Special Issue, we aim to highlight both the dynamism and the complexity of entrepreneurship as a driver of inclusive and sustainable development.

Entrepreneurship is widely recognized as a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and social transformation. In emerging markets, entrepreneurial activity holds immense potential to generate employment, stimulate technological advancement, and promote inclusive development. However, these markets also present distinct challenges, including institutional voids, financing constraints, infrastructure limitations, and policy volatility. Understanding how entrepreneurs navigate such complex environments is crucial for advancing theory and practice in entrepreneurship and development studies.

The aim of this Special Issue is to explore how entrepreneurs identify and exploit opportunities in emerging markets and how contextual factors shape their behavior, performance, and impact. This Special Issue aligns closely with Administrative Sciences’ mission to disseminate high-quality research that advances the fields of economics, management, and social sciences and foster dialog between academia, industry, and policymakers.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Entrepreneurial ecosystems and innovation in emerging markets;
• Access to finance, venture capital, and microfinance;
• Digital transformation and technology-based entrepreneurship;
• Social and sustainable entrepreneurship;
• Gender, diversity, and inclusivity in entrepreneurship;
• Institutional frameworks, governance, and policy support;
• Comparative studies between emerging and developed economies.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Alexandros Sahinidis
Dr. Panagiota Xanthopoulou
Guest Editors

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