Entrepreneurial education in Malaysia (2012 – 2024): Insights from a Comprehensive Bibliometric Review

Abstract

Entrepreneurial education has become an important component of national development strategies, especially in economies seeking to promote innovation, resilience, and self-employment. In Malaysia, this emphasis has been reflected through various policies and institutional initiatives aimed at promoting entrepreneurship within the educational system.  This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 43 scholarly publications on entrepreneurial education in Malaysia between 2012 and 2024. Obtaining data primarily from Google Scholar and employing VOSviewer as a visualization tool, the study maps trends in publication volume, subject area, authorship, funding sources, and co-authorship networks to better understand the intellectual structure and collaborative patterns within the field.  The findings reveal a noticeable increase in research activity from 2017 onwards, correlating with the implementation of national policies such as the Malaysia Education Blueprint (2013–2025) and the National Entrepreneurship Policy 2030. Most of publications are concentrated within the social sciences and business-related fields, though there is growing interdisciplinary engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and humanities disciplines. Key contributors, such as Mamun, Abdullah Al and Nawi, Noorshella Binti Che, have played pivotal roles in shaping the research landscape, with strong co-authorship ties and a high citation impact. Government ministries and public universities, particularly the Ministry of Higher Education and institutions like UiTM and UKM, emerge as significant funding sponsors, underscoring the strategic importance placed on entrepreneurship research in Malaysia.  The study concludes that entrepreneurial education research in Malaysia is steadily maturing, with increasing scholarly interest, institutional support, and collaborative networks. It offers valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and researchers seeking to advance the field further. The findings also highlight opportunities to foster more inclusive and interdisciplinary research, strengthen academic partnerships, and align future studies with national economic and educational priorities.