Eco-innovation in SMEs: a scientometric review

In recent years, the research of SMEs’ eco-innovation (EI) has gained attention on an international scale. However, only a few studies provide a global research panorama. This study attempts to bridge this knowledge gap by utilizing the scientometric tools. A total of 749 articles from ISI web of science core collection were collected and analyzed to generate the result, which demonstrated a wealth of useful new conclusions in this domain. The results show that (i) the research topics on SMEs’ EI are changing dynamically and become more diversified from 1997 to 2021, especially from 2014 to 2021. (ii) The newest research frontiers are logically consistent with the previous knowledge base, while reflect the novelty of the research, which shows more correlation and adaptation to the newest development situation. (iii) The innovation paradigm in this field has not yet formed, and correlational studies are still in the early stage and a paradigm of open innovation is strongly recommended for researchers. And the barriers, category, process, outcome, and more similar subdivided themes of SMEs’ EI are worthy to be further explored. For research methods, inter-regional, inter-institutional, and interdisciplinary perspectives are hopeful to contribute to future research avenues. Some useful inspirations are also provided for practitioners to develop SMEs’ EI.