Entrepreneurial Misconduct: A Systematic Review of Definitions, Trends and Typologies in Technology-Driven Ecosystems

Abstract Entrepreneurial misconduct poses a significant threat to the integrity and sustainability of technology-driven ecosystems. In start-up environments, high growth pressures and scarce resources can compromise ethical standards. Ventures may misrepresent financial data to secure funding, bypass regulations, or appropriate intellectual property. Additionally, labour exploitation may occur as start-ups favour speed over oversight and actions that erode stakeholder trust and hinder innovation. Investigating these practices is essential to understanding their complex nature and to developing effective measures that safeguard emerging technologies and preserve market integrity. This review synthesizes existing research and identifies critical gaps in the literature, offering actionable insights for policymakers, educators and industry stakeholders. Guided by the Planning, Operationalizing, Writing, Embedding, Reporting (POWER) guidelines, this systematic literature review examines 65 articles indexed in Scopus and published between 2004 and 2024. This study reveals a rising trend in technology-enabled fraud, especially in fintech and artificial intelligence (AI). For entrepreneurs, these sectors impose unique pressures that may prompt shortcuts such as data misrepresentation or regulatory circumvention, ultimately undermining business integrity and stakeholder confidence. The findings indicate that unethical behaviour in entrepreneurial ventures is not an isolated occurrence but a multifaceted phenomenon linked to challenges in oversight and regulation. The results underscore the urgent need for adaptive regulatory frameworks and comprehensive ethical education to foster accountability and resilience in entrepreneurial ventures. By clarifying the types and trends of misconduct, this study lays a robust foundation for future research aimed at promoting ethical entrepreneurship and ensuring the long-term potential of innovation.