Purpose This study aims to examine the current state of knowledge on micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by analysing published literature and suggests future research direction, delimiting the time frame of publication. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric review approach was applied to a sample of 756 articles, adopting the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol. Performance analysis and science mapping were used to represent the scientific research visually. Findings This study reveals that MSME research is thriving in developing countries such as India and Indonesia. “Financial literacy among owners and managers”, “workforce dynamics”, “cross-disciplinary collaboration” and “gender inclusivity”, particularly in women’s entrepreneurship, and its “economic impact” on business resilience and sustainability are the areas of research that may gain popularity in the near future. Originality/value While previous studies have focused on the academic aspects of the topic, this research takes a comprehensive approach to integrate both academic perspectives and industry realities. Linking research trends with industry practices offers a comprehensive understanding of the field and provides new insights for scholars and practitioners.
Patra et al. (Thu,) studied this question.