What are we talking about when we refer to humane entrepreneurship?

Authors

DOI:

10.14211/regepe.esbj.e2859

Keywords:

Entrepreneurship, Humanized Entrepreneurship, Systematic review

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the foundations that underpin the concept of Humane Entrepreneurship (HumEnt) and to present the evolution of studies in this field. Problem: Humane entrepreneurship is a novel concept within the field of entrepreneurship, and distinct approaches have discussed the phenomenon, often obscuring its understanding. Method: A systematic literature review guided by the PRISMA protocol, using Rayyan software for study screening and Bibliometrix and VOSviewer for systematic and bibliometric analyses of 32 articles selected from the Web of Science, Scopus, Emerald Insight, and ScienceDirect databases. Main results: The data show that HumEnt does not have clearly defined boundaries but indicates its evolution and related topics such as entrepreneurial education, ecosystems, social, community, and creative entrepreneurship, in addition to critiques of the model. Issues such as religion and digitalization were also discussed in the context of HumEnt. Theoretical contributions: We present an integrated and systematized view of HumEnt, contributing to the definition of its scope and applicability in different contexts, facilitating its recognition and expansion. We also propose an agenda for future research, encouraging ongoing academic debate and exploration of new dimensions of HumEnt. Relevance/Originality: HumEnt is an emerging concept that provides an opportunity to examine humane entrepreneurial practices. Social/management contributions: The study may encourage entrepreneurs to adopt management styles that focus on human, social, and environmental capital, and to promote governmental actions to foster entrepreneurship aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. For Brazil and other Global South countries, the practice of HumEnt can leverage human capital and promote economic and social development in these regions.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Translation

This article is a translation in English of the article:  Do que estamos falando quando nos referimos ao empreendedorismo humanizado?

References

Aboalhool, T., Alzubi, A., & Iyiola, K. (2024). Humane entrepreneurship in the circular economy: The role of green market orientation and green technology turbulence for sustainable corporate performance. Sustainability, 16(6), 2517. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062517

Alves, J., & Gilroy, H. (2021). Healing a hurt generation with humane entrepreneurship. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 2(1), 67-74. https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2020.1852520

Anggadwita, G., Dana, L. P., Ramadani, V., & Ramadan, R. Y. (2021). Empowering Islamic boarding schools by applying the humane entrepreneurship approach: The case of Indonesia. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, 27(6), 1580-1604. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJEBR-11-2020-0797

Bacq, S., Hartog, C., & Hoogendoorn, B. (2016). Beyond the moral portrayal of social entrepreneurs: An empirical approach to who they are and what drives them. Journal of Business Ethics, 133, 703-718. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2446-7

Bacq, S., & Janssen, F. (2011). The multiple faces of social entrepreneurship: A review of definitional issues based on geographical and thematic criteria. Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, 23(5-6), 373-403. https://doi.org/10.1080/08985626.2011.577242

Bae, Z. T., Kang, M. S., Kim, K. C., & Park, J. H. (2018). Humane entrepreneurship: Theoretical foundations and conceptual development. The Journal of Small Business Innovation, 20(4), 11-21. https://koreascience.kr/article/JAKO201822262290541.page

Barbuto, J. E., & Wheeler, D. W. (2006). Scale development and construct clarification of servant leadership. Group and Organization Management, 31(3), 300-326. https://doi.org/10.1177/1059601106287091

Barney, J. B., & Wright, P. M. (1998). On becoming a strategic partner: The role of human resources in gaining competitive advantage. Human Resource Management, 37(1), 31-46. https://doi.org/10.1002/(SICI)1099-050X(199821)37:1<31::AID-HRM4>3.0.CO;2-W

Bjelic, Z., Schmitt, C., & Baldegger, R. (2024). Exploring humane entrepreneurship implementation: Case study of a Swiss SME active in winter sports. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 5(1), 37-53. https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2023.2279558

Bjelic, Z., Schmitt, C., Baldegger, R., & Bou Nader, R. (2024). Examining the impact of humane entrepreneurship on overall firm performance: An empirical investigation of SMEs. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2024.2417010

Buratti, N., Albanese, M., & Sillig, C. (2022). Interpreting community enterprises’ ability to survive in depleted contexts through the humane entrepreneurship lens: Evidence from Italian rural areas. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 29(1), 74-92. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-05-2021-0167

Byrne, D. (2022). A worked example of Braun and Clarke’s approach to reflexive thematic analysis. Quality & Quantity, 56, 1391-1412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-021-01182-y

Canestrino, R., Magliocca, P., Ćwiklicki, M., & Pawełek, B. (2023). Toward the emergence of “humane” entrepreneurial ecosystems: Evidence from different cultural contexts. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 24(1), 177-204. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIC-07-2021-0200

Carroll, A. B. (1979). A three-dimensional conceptual model of corporate performance. Academy of Management Review, 4(4), 497-505. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1979.4498296

Covin, J. G., & Slevin, D. P. (1989). Strategic management of small firms in hostile and benign environments. Strategic Management Journal, 10(1), 75-87. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.4250100107

Cucino, V., Marullo, C., Annunziata, E., & Piccaluga, A. (2023). The human side of entrepreneurship: An empirical investigation of relationally embedded ties with stakeholders. Management Research Review, 47(13), 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1108/MRR-08-2022-0593

De Angelis, R., & Vesci, M. (2024). Circular economy business models, value creation and humane entrepreneurship: A micro-sized and social enterprise perspective. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-024-00419-w

Dębicka, A., Olejniczak, K., & Skąpska, J. (2022). Enterprises’ perception and practice of humane entrepreneurship. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 29(1), 127-146. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-01-2021-0028

Donaldson, T., & Preston, L. E. (1995). The stakeholder theory of the corporation: Concepts, evidence, and implications. Academy of Management Review, 20(1), 65-91. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1995.9503271992

Drucker, P. F. (1985). Innovation and entrepreneurship. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Eck, V., Jan, N., & Waltman, L. (2011). VOSviewer manual (Version 1.0).

El Tarabishy, A., Hwang, W. S., Enriquez, J. L., & Kim, K. C. (2022). The empirical performance of humane entrepreneurship. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 3(1), 7-23. https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2021.1940374

Elkington, J. (1994). Towards the sustainable corporation: Win-win-win business strategies for sustainable development. California Management Review, 36(2), 90-100. https://doi.org/10.2307/41165746

Freeman, R. E. (2010). Strategic management: A stakeholder approach. Cambridge University Press.

Gregory Stone, A., Russell, R. F., & Patterson, K. (2004). Transformational versus servant leadership: A difference in leader focus. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 25(4), 349-361. https://doi.org/10.1108/01437730410538671

Hassan, M. K., Choudhury, T. T., & Bhuiyan, B. (2023). Guest editorial: Islamic finance in South Asia. International Journal of Islamic and Middle Eastern Finance and Management, 16(2), 229-233. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMEFM-03-2023-635

Heilmann, P., Forsten-Astikainen, R., & Kultalahti, S. (2020). Agile HRM practices of SMEs. Journal of Small Business Management, 58(6), 1291-1306. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsbm.12483

Iyigun, N. O. (2015). What could entrepreneurship do for sustainable development? A corporate social responsibility-based approach. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 195, 1226-1231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2015.06.253

Kainrath, D. (2009). Ecopreneurship in theory and practice: A proposed emerging framework for ecopreneurship (Bachelor’s thesis). Umeå University, Umeå School of Business. https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:umu:diva-30102

Khurana, I., Ghura, A. S., & Dutta, D. K. (2021a). Religion and humane entrepreneurship: Insights for research, policy, and practice. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 2(3), 250-259. https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2021.1906186

Khurana, I., Ghura, A. S., & Dutta, D. K. (2021b). The influence of religion on the humane orientation of entrepreneurs. Journal of Small Business Management, 59(3), 417-442. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2021.1890097

Kim, K. C. (2016). White book on humane entrepreneurship. International Council for Small Business. https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/cc1725_c642180108094a59b1c53bb81a8b6d2b.pdf

Kim, K. C., ElTarabishy, A., & Bae, Z. T. (2018). Humane entrepreneurship: How focusing on people can drive a new era of wealth and quality job creation in a sustainable world. Journal of Small Business Management, 56, 10-29. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsbm.12431

Kim, K. C., Hornsby, J. S., Enriquez, J. L., Bae, Z. T., & El Tarabishy, A. (2021). Humane entrepreneurial framework: A model for effective corporate entrepreneurship. Journal of Small Business Management, 59(3), 397-416. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2021.1896723

Kirby, D. A., El-Kaffass, I., & Healey-Benson, F. (2022). Harmonious entrepreneurship: Evolution from wealth creation to sustainable development. Journal of Management History, 28(4), 514-529. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMH-11-2021-0060

Kraus, S., Breier, M., & Dasí-Rodríguez, S. (2020). The art of crafting a systematic literature review in entrepreneurship research. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 16, 1023-1042. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-020-00635-4

Lang, S., Ivanova-Gongne, M., Lagerström, J., & Brännback, M. (2024). Refugee entrepreneurship: A systematic literature review and future research agenda. European Management Journal. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.emj.2024.03.012

Landowska, A. M., Della Piana, B., & Feola, R. (2020). Humane entrepreneurship model: Does morality of entrepreneurs matter? Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 1(3-4), 177-198. https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2020.1850156

Latham, G. P., & Pinder, C. C. (2005). Work motivation theory and research at the dawn of the twenty-first century. Annual Review of Psychology, 56, 485-516. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.psych.55.090902.142105

Le, T. T. (2022). How humane entrepreneurship fosters sustainable supply chain management for a circular economy moving towards sustainable corporate performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 368, 133178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133178

Le, T. T., Bùi Thị Tuyết, N., & Le Anh, T. (2024). Drive sustainable business performance with humane entrepreneurship, knowledge management: The mediation of sustainable business advantage and sustainable business model innovation. European Journal of Innovation Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-12-2023-1079

Lepak, D. P., & Snell, S. A. (1999). The human resource architecture: Toward a theory of human capital allocation and development. Academy of Management Review, 24(1), 31-48. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.1999.1580439

Liñán, F., & Fayolle, A. (2015). A systematic literature review on entrepreneurial intentions: Citation, thematic analyses, and research agenda. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 11(4), 907-933. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-015-0356-5

Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2004). What should we do about motivation theory? Six recommendations for the twenty-first century. Academy of Management Review, 29(3), 388-403. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2004.13670974

Marins, J. (2019). Era do impacto: O movimento transformador massivo da liberdade, das novas economias, dos empreendedores sociais e da consciência da humanidade (1a ed.). Voo.

Marzi, G., Balzano, M., Caputo, A., & Pellegrini, M. M. (2024). Guidelines for bibliometric systematic literature reviews: 10 steps to combine analysis, synthesis and theory development. International Journal of Management Reviews, 27(1), 23. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12381

Matytsin, D. E., Dzedik, V. A., Markeeva, G. A., & Boldyreva, S. B. (2023). “Smart” outsourcing in support of the humanization of entrepreneurship in the artificial intelligence economy. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-022-01493-x

McWilliams, A., & Siegel, D. (2001). Corporate social responsibility: A theory of the firm perspective. The Academy of Management Review, 26(1), 117-127. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2001.4011987

Melé, D. (2003). The challenge of humanistic management. Journal of Business Ethics, 44, 77-88. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023298710412

Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & PRISMA Group. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. Annals of Internal Medicine, 151(4), 264-269. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b2535

Muldoon, J., Mahto, R. V., & Liguori, E. W. (2022). Guest editorial: The early adolescence of entrepreneurship research. Journal of Management History, 28(4), 453-457. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMH-08-2022-297

Muñoz, P., & Dimov, D. (2015). The call of the whole in understanding the development of sustainable ventures. Journal of Business Venturing, 30(4), 632-654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusvent.2014.07.012

Nam, J., Kim, D. H., & Kang, J. (2022). From corporate entrepreneurship to turnover intention: A view from humane entrepreneurship. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 29(6), 863-877. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-11-2021-0450

Palumbo, R. (2022). A ‘dark side’ of humane entrepreneurship? Unveiling the side effects of humane entrepreneurship on work-life balance. The Journal of Entrepreneurship, 31(1), 121-152. https://doi.org/10.1177/09713557211069304

Parente, R. (2020). Digitalization, consumer social responsibility, and humane entrepreneurship: Good news from the future? Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 1(1), 56-63. https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2020.1714368

Parente, R., El Tarabishy, A., Vesci, M., & Botti, A. (2018). The epistemology of humane entrepreneurship: Theory and proposal for future research agenda. Journal of Small Business Management, 56, 30-52. https://doi.org/10.1111/jsbm.12432

Parente, R., El Tarabishy, A., Botti, A., Vesci, M., & Feola, R. (2021). Humane entrepreneurship: Some steps in the development of a measurement scale. Journal of Small Business Management, 59(3), 509-533. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2020.1717292

Parente, R., & Kim, K. C. (2021). Contemporary perspectives on social and humane entrepreneurship. Journal of Small Business Management, 59(3), 371-372. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2021.1896724

Pfeffer, J. (1998). The human equation: Building profits by putting people first. Harvard Business Press.

Phillips, R., Freeman, R. E., & Wicks, A. C. (2003). What stakeholder theory is not. Business Ethics Quarterly, 13(4), 479-502. https://doi.org/10.5840/beq200313434

Rafferty, A. E., & Griffin, M. A. (2004). Dimensions of transformational leadership: Conceptual and empirical extensions. The Leadership Quarterly, 15(3), 329-354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.leaqua.2004.02.009

Robles, S. A. (2022). Adopt a Startup (HIS-E) model: An example of education for sustainable humane entrepreneurship despite COVID-19. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 3(2), 184-190. https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2021.1982371

Rosales, O., & Silveyra, G. (2025). Entrepreneurial archetypes: Spiritual well-being as a catalyst for humane entrepreneurship and performance. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2024.2393684

Sanda, M. A. (2024). Human factors in creative entrepreneurship: Significance of entrepreneurs’ personal characteristics, perceived status, and emotions. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 5(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2023.2275605

Santos, J. M. dos, & Machado, H. P. V. (2023). Do que estamos falando quando nos referimos ao empreendedorismo humanizado? Uma revisão sistemática de literatura. In Anais do XXVI SemeAD- Seminários em Administração. Universidade de São Paulo (USP). https://login.semead.com.br/26semead/anais/arquivos/203.pdf

Santos, S. C., Neumeyer, X., Caetano, A., & Liñán, F. (2021). Understanding how and when personal values foster entrepreneurial behavior: A humane perspective. Journal of Small Business Management, 59(3), 373-396. https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2021.1888384

Sarasvathy, S. (2008). Effectuation elements of entrepreneurial expertise. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Schumpeter, J. A. (1943). Capitalism, socialism and democracy. Allen and Unwin.

Shane, S., Locke, E. A., & Collins, C. J. (2003). Entrepreneurial motivation. Human Resource Management Review, 13(2), 257-279. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1053-4822(03)00017-2

Shane, S., & Venkatraman, S. (2000). The promise of entrepreneurship as a field of research. Academy of Management Review, 25(1), 217-226. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2000.2791611

Shepherd, D. A., & Patzelt, H. (2011). The new field of sustainable entrepreneurship: Studying entrepreneurial action linking “what is to be sustained” with “what is to be developed”. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 35(1), 137-163. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2010.00426.x

Talim, B. (2024). Humane entrepreneurship implementation in Indonesian SMEs: Case study in West Java, Indonesia: SMEs. Journal of the International Council for Small Business, 5(1), 17-24. https://doi.org/10.1080/26437015.2023.2261237

Torraco, R. J. (2016). Writing integrative literature reviews: Using the past and present to explore the future. Human Resource Development Review, 15(4), 404-428. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484316671606

Tranfield, D., Denyer, D., & Smart, P. (2003). Towards a methodology for developing evidence informed management knowledge by means of systematic review. British Journal of Management, 14(3), 207-222. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8551.00375

Vesci, M., Botti, A., Feola, R., Conti, E., & El Tarabishy, A. (2023). Bridging theory and practice in the humane entrepreneurship domain: Insights from small and medium Italian enterprises. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 30(3), 567-586. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSBED-11-2021-0465

Vivaldini, M., & Corrêa, V. S. (2025). Spatial embeddedness in indigenous rural entrepreneurship: A systematic literature review. Journal of Enterprising Communities: People and Places in the Global Economy. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEC-02-2024-0033

Published

2026-01-03

Métricas


Visualizações do artigo: 39     PDF downloads: 13 Audio downloads: 4 Video downloads: 7

How to Cite

Santos, J. M. dos, Machado, H. P. V., Pereira, G. S., & Santos, S. C. (2026). What are we talking about when we refer to humane entrepreneurship?. REGEPE Entrepreneurship and Small Business Journal, 15, e2859. https://doi.org/10.14211/regepe.esbj.e2859

Issue

Section

Research article (Theoretical-empirical)

Data statement

  • The research data is contained in the manuscript

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.