The objective of this study is to analyze the main factors influencing research on theconcept of ‘circular economy’ (CE) by focusing on authors, institutions, and countries andemphasizing the documents that deal both with CE and SMEs. The Web of Science (WoS) includes1711 documents related to CE, with the first publication dated 2006. The graphical analyses use theWoS Core Collection database and visualization of similarities (VOS) viewer software. We alsoemploy several bibliometric techniques including co‐citation and bibliographic coupling. Theresults of the analysis indicate that the field of CE research has broad readership and includesinternationally authored papers although China seems to be the leader in this research area.

The main objective of the article is to show how the influence of Covid-19 affects entrepreneurial motivation through the variables of creativity, leadership, and communication, understood as information available and transferable within the environment. Research Design & Methods:The study was performed by means of an email survey questionnaire conducted on 63 employees in Madrid (Spain). The propositions and the research model were tested with fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). Findings: The results illustrate that employees who aspire to become entrepreneurs evidence specific configurations in relation to the variables proposed before the Covid-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, these configurations in the new normal are only determinant for the absence of entrepreneurial decision. Implications & Recommendations: Background affects the link between the variables of creativity, communication, leadership, and entrepreneurial motivation. Thus, the uncertainty derived from Covid-19 influences entrepreneurial development, and consequently, it is recommended to consider these aspects in government policies that encourage support to potential entrepreneurs. Contribution & Value Added: Through a comprehensive assessment, this research contributes to the literature on entrepreneurship by addressing the gap related to entrepreneurial motivation and the impact of the new normal in the face of

Entrepreneurs are urged to play a proactive role in the transition from the current economic paradigm to a sustainable economic model. This study aims to identify the characteristics of entrepreneurs that enhance sustainable development. The characteristics considered in this study are entrepreneurs' perceived opportunities, perceived capabilities, motivation and high job creation expectation, conceptualised in accordance with the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) definitions. Sustainable development is defined as per the Global Innovation Index (GII). The analysis was conducted using Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) and considered companies in the countries included in the Global Innovation Index and the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. The results of this analysis may therefore be presented by country, thereby showing which countries promote sustainable development and what formulas companies in these countries adopt to achieve this form of development.Keywords Sustainable development • Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) • Global innovation index (GII) • Global entrepreneurship monitor (GEM)