The International Council for Small Business (ICSB) has launched the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Review (IER), its first fully open access journal, published in partnership with Taylor & Francis. The journal focuses on innovation and entrepreneurship, covering topics such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation, entrepreneurial ecosystems, innovation management, and emerging forms of entrepreneurship.
IER was founded by Ayman ElTarabishy, who serves as its editor-in-chief alongside Eric Liguori and Katia Passerini. The editorial team also includes regional editors and a global advisory group. The journal joins the Journal of Small Business Management (JSBM) and the Journal of the International Council for Small Business (JICSB), expanding ICSB's publishing portfolio to three journals.
The launch follows years of discussions within ICSB about establishing an open access publication. The organization began exploring the model nearly a decade ago as research became increasingly international, digital distribution expanded, and access to academic publications gained greater attention across scholarly publishing. ICSB prioritized developing a journal that would maintain the peer-review processes, editorial standards, and research integrity associated with its existing publications.
IER also extends ICSB's publishing relationship with Taylor & Francis, which already publishes JSBM and JICSB. Under the open access model, IER's published research will be freely available to readers, broadening access to scholarship in innovation and entrepreneurship.
ICSB's publishing activities have historically centered on JSBM, which focuses on small business management and entrepreneurship. The journal has provided a platform for research on entrepreneurs, small businesses, and the economic and institutional environments in which they operate.
The organization's publishing strategy subsequently expanded alongside its international engagement. In 2017, ICSB helped establish United Nations Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, an initiative that raised international awareness of the contribution of micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to economic and social development. This work strengthened the organization's engagement with governments, international organizations, policymakers, educators, researchers, and entrepreneurs.
JICSB was developed with Jeff Alves to connect MSME research more directly with policy, education, and business practice. The journal encourages research that examines the practical significance of findings, their contribution to understanding MSMEs, and their application across different contexts. Its development established a complementary role within ICSB's publishing portfolio.
With the addition of IER, the three journals serve distinct but related purposes. JSBM focuses on scholarly research in small business management and entrepreneurship, while JICSB connects MSME research with policy, education, and practice. IER provides a fully open access platform for research on innovation, entrepreneurship, and emerging areas of study.
ICSB plans to introduce IER to the wider organization and research community at the SME World Forum Paris 2026, scheduled for October 21–23, 2026. Convened by ICSB and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the forum will provide an opportunity to present the journal and discuss its research priorities with researchers and other participants.
IER is accepting submissions from researchers worldwide for its initial volumes.
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