Developing a conceptual framework for digital entrepreneurship education through ESD-based bibliometric analysis

Purpose This study aims to explore and map the intellectual, conceptual, and thematic structures of research in digital entrepreneurship education (DEE) and propose a conceptual framework to guide future research and pedagogical innovation. The focus lies on capturing evolving trends, influential publications, and core themes shaping the DEE domain through advanced bibliometric techniques. Design/methodology/approach Using a bibliometric approach, this study analyzed N = 895 peer-reviewed articles retrieved from the Scopus database, published in English up to August 2025. Tools including VOSviewer, Bibliometrix, and Biblioplot were used to conduct performance analysis, keyword co-occurrence mapping, co-citation analysis, and thematic evolution. Central to the analysis is the application of Enhanced Strategic Diagrams (ESD) to classify and interpret thematic developments across time. Findings The results reveal a significant rise in scholarly interest in DEE, particularly post-2020. Thematic mapping identifies four major research clusters, digital transformation and competencies, technology adoption behaviors, educational innovation, and performance outcomes. ESD results show a shift from foundational themes (e.g., entrepreneurship education, digitalization) to more emergent areas such as AI literacy, entrepreneurial intention, and digital leadership. The study synthesizes these findings into a layered conceptual framework linking institutional support, competency development, behavioral readiness, and measurable outcomes. Practical implications The study provides scholars, educators, and policymakers with a visual and analytical roadmap for designing DEE curricula and research agendas. It highlights the need for pedagogical models that integrate digital tools, personalized learning, and real-world entrepreneurship scenarios. The framework also offers practical direction for institutions aiming to enhance graduate employability and innovation capacity in digital economies. Originality/value This is one of the first studies to apply Enhanced Strategic Diagrams in the context of digital entrepreneurship education. It provides a comprehensive and systematic synthesis of the field, offering novel insights into its thematic evolution and presenting an empirically grounded framework to advance future research and practice in DEE.