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This study proposes a novel method utilising a speech-word pair bipartite network to examine the correlation structure between members of parliament (MPs) in the context of the UK- China relationship.

We construct MP-word pair bipartite networks based on the co-occurrence relationship between MPs and words in their speech content. These networks are then mapped into monopartite MPs correlation networks. Additionally, the study calculates correlation network indicators and identifies MP communities and factions to determine the characteristics of MPs and their interrelation in the UK-China relationship. This includes insights into the distribution of key MPs, their correlation structure and the evolution and development trends of MP factions.

Analysis of the parliamentary speeches on China-related affairs in the British Parliament from 2011 to 2020 reveals that the distribution and interrelationship of MPs engaged in UK-China affairs are centralised and discrete, with a few core MPs playing an integral role in the UK-China relationship. Among them, MPs such as Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, David Cameron, Lord Hunt of Chesterton and Lord Howell of Guildford formed factions with significant differences; however, the continuity of their evolution exhibits unstableness. The core MP factions, such as those led by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon and David Cameron, have achieved a level of maturity and exert significant influence.

The research has several limitations that warrant acknowledgement. First, we mapped the MP-word pair bipartite network into the MP correlation network for analysis without directly analysing the structure of MPs based on the bipartite network. In future studies, we aim to explore various types of analysis based on the proposed bipartite networks to provide more comprehensive and accurate references for studying UK-China relations. In addition, we seek to incorporate semantic-level analyses, such as sentiment analysis of MPs, into the MP-word -pair bipartite networks for in-depth analysis. Second, the interpretations of MP structures in the UK-China relationship in this study are limited. Consequently, expertise in UK-China relations should be incorporated to enhance the study and provide more practical recommendations.

Firstly, the findings can contribute to an objective understanding of the characteristics and connotations of UK-China relations, thereby informing adjustments of focus accordingly. The identification of the main factions in the UK-China relationship emphasises the imperative for governments to pay greater attention to these MPs’ speeches and social relationships. Secondly, examining the evolution and development of MP factions aids in identifying a country’s diplomatic focus during different periods. This can assist governments in responding promptly to relevant issues and contribute to the formulation of effective foreign policies.

First, this study expands the research methodology of parliamentary debates analysis in previous studies. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to study the UK-China relationship through the MP-word-pair bipartite network. This outcome inspires future researchers to apply various knowledge networks in the LIS field to elucidate deeper characteristics and connotations of UK-China relations. Second, this study provides a novel perspective for UK-China relationship analysis, which deepens the research object from keywords to MPs. This finding may offer important implications for researchers to further study the role of MPs in the UK-China relationship.

This study proposes a novel scheme for analysing the correlation structure between MPs based on bipartite networks. This approach offers insights into the development and evolving dynamics of MPs.

The COVID-19 crisis has adversely affected entrepreneurs, innovators and their ventures and, arguably, entrepreneurship research. This study aims to map the knowledge of entrepreneurship research during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide evidence of literature evolution in the field with the purpose of supporting future decision-making for policymakers, academics and practitioners in the post-COVID-19 era.

The study examines various bibliometric and scientometric indicators of entrepreneurship research in the Web of Science database using bibliometric techniques and visualization tools. Using the information gained, the scientometrics of entrepreneurship research during the COVID-19 time slice (2020–02-12 to 2022–10-15) are synthesized and comprehensively presented, and future research avenues for the post-COVID-19 era are suggested.

The results of rigorous quantitative analyses show that entrepreneurship research activities were not disrupted by COVID-19, although entrepreneurial activities themselves were impacted worldwide. In addition to providing key insights into the research field, including the most relevant keywords, keyword co-occurrences, publication sources, countries' contribution and collaboration, and source co-citations, the conceptual structural analysis separates the current trends (hotspots) into ten themes. Based on the evolution of author keywords and research themes, the study identified numerous future research directions, including 1) entrepreneurship in emerging countries, 2) firm performance in different categories of enterprises, 3) immigrants and transnational entrepreneurs, 4) technology in entrepreneurship education and 5) the impact of COVID-19 on the entrepreneurial ecosystem and entrepreneurship.

By building firm foundations for advancing the field in innovative and systematic ways, this timely study contributes to entrepreneurship literature and facilitates the understanding of the features and structures of entrepreneurship research towards the end of the pandemic. The research also has important implications for research management and entrepreneurship policymaking. The study's main limitation is that the results can only represent the time slice between 2020-02-12 and 2022-10-15.

Policymakers and managers of research and development can utilize this research to prepare a crisis-related minimization handbook in advance.

This first data mapping and thematic analysis research for entrepreneurship during the period of COVID-19 provides the latest knowledge in the field at the beginning of the end of the pandemic. It empowers scholars by 1) providing a one-stop literature overview for this global crisis time slice, 2) identifying research focuses and gaps, 3) developing new research avenues for investigation and 4) contributing conceptual structure for specific entrepreneurship research projects.