Female entrepreneurship in the digital era: a bibliometric analysis

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore how digitalization is transforming female entrepreneurship by analyzing existing academic literature through a bibliometric lens. It aims to identify key trends, influential contributions and thematic developments in the field from 2009 to 2024. By mapping the research landscape, the study seeks to understand how digital technologies are enabling or constraining women entrepreneurs, particularly in emerging economies. The ultimate goal is to inform the development of inclusive, gender-sensitive policies and practices that promote digital empowerment and support the sustainable growth of women-led businesses in the evolving digital economy. Design/methodology/approach The study employs a bibliometric analysis to examine the intersection of digitalization and female entrepreneurship. Data were collected from the Scopus database, comprising 191 articles published between 2009 and 2024. The analysis was conducted using the Bibliometrix package in R, specifically the Biblioshiny interface and VOSviewer software. Various bibliometric indicators were applied to map research trends, influential authors, key themes and collaborative networks. This methodological approach provides a comprehensive overview of the academic landscape, enabling the identification of emerging topics and gaps in the literature related to digital technologies and women's entrepreneurial activities. Findings The findings reveal that digitalization significantly influences female entrepreneurship by enhancing access to markets, resources and networks, particularly in emerging economies. Digital platforms empower women economically and socially, contributing to business innovation and growth. However, persistent gender disparities, limited digital skills and unequal access to technology continue to hinder progress. The analysis also highlights increasing scholarly interest in this intersection, with emerging themes such as digital empowerment, inclusive innovation, and gender-sensitive policy development. These insights stress the need for targeted strategies to ensure women fully benefit from digital transformation in entrepreneurial contexts. Research limitations/implications The study is limited by its exclusive reliance on the Scopus database, which may exclude relevant publications indexed elsewhere, potentially affecting the comprehensiveness of the review. Additionally, bibliometric analysis focuses on quantitative metrics and may overlook deeper qualitative insights into the lived experiences of female entrepreneurs. The findings are primarily based on existing literature and may not fully capture rapidly evolving digital trends. Despite these limitations, the study offers valuable implications for policymakers and researchers by identifying gaps and emerging areas, encouraging further interdisciplinary and context-specific research to support digital inclusion and gender equity in entrepreneurship. Practical implications The study offers practical insights for policymakers, educators and support organizations aiming to foster female entrepreneurship in the digital age. It highlights the need for targeted initiatives that enhance women's digital skills, improve access to technology and address structural gender inequalities. Findings support the development of inclusive policies that promote digital empowerment and encourage participation in digital economies. For practitioners, the research emphasizes the value of digital tools in expanding market reach and fostering innovation. It also underscores the importance of creating supportive ecosystems that enable women entrepreneurs to thrive and contribute to economic development, particularly in underrepresented regions. Social implications The study underscores the transformative social impact of digitalization on female entrepreneurship, particularly in enhancing women's economic participation and social empowerment. By facilitating access to digital tools and platforms, women can overcome traditional barriers, gain visibility and build networks that support business development. However, it also reveals persistent social challenges, such as digital exclusion and gender-based disparities that limit equitable participation. The findings call for socially inclusive strategies that address these inequalities, promote digital literacy and foster a culture of gender equity. Empowering women through digital entrepreneurship contributes not only to economic growth but also to broader social progress and inclusion. Originality/value This study offers original value through its interdisciplinary and bibliometric approach to examining the nexus between digitalization and female entrepreneurship. By systematically analyzing 191 articles from 2009 to 2024, it identifies key research trends, influential contributors and emerging themes in the field. Unlike previous studies, it provides a comprehensive and data-driven overview that bridges gender studies, entrepreneurship and digital transformation. The findings contribute to academic discourse and offer practical guidance for developing gender-sensitive digital policies. This research is particularly valuable for advancing inclusive innovation and supporting the sustainable growth of women-led enterprises in both developed and emerging economies.