University entrepreneurship in Latin America with data from the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Student's Survey (GUESSS): a literature review

Purpose - This study aims to analyze the current state of entrepreneurship research in Latin America based on data from the Global University Entrepreneurial Spirit Student's Survey (GUESSS) project, to map its usage in publications in this context. Design/methodology/approach - The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol was employed for the systematic literature review. A total of 23 empirical studies published from 2015 to 2023 were included. Furthermore, it suggests directions for future research by utilizing the structuring of theories, contexts and methodologies (TCM) identified in the analyzed articles. Findings - Factors related to individuals, the university environment and the family influence the outcomes; the theory of planned behavior (TPB) was the most commonly employed. Additionally, there is a gap in comparative approaches between countries. Practical implications - This study identifies a gap in research using GUESSS data specific to Latin America, suggesting the need for further exploration of these data. By integrating the PRISMA protocol with the TCM framework, the study provides structured analyses and syntheses that reduce knowledge fragmentation. Social implications - This study discusses the factors influencing entrepreneurship among Latin American university students, providing insights for policymakers, managers and educational institutions. Originality/value - The current state of results in studies using GUESSS data from several Latin American countries is presented.