The Algerian Startup At The Test Of Definition

Abstract

The enterprise has taken three major forms in Algeria: the state-owned enterprise (1962), the SME (2001) and the startup (2022). The latter introduced the "one diploma–one startup" mechanism, establishing a hyphen—both literally and metaphorically—between the academic world and the labor market. The aim of this article is to trace the shift from national enterprises toward startups by clarifying the defining criteria of each, with a particular focus on startups and their life-cycle dynamics, especially their temporary nature. The methodology is based on a systematic literature review of all 197 articles on startups published on the Algerian Scientific Journal Platform (ASJP) up to 25 November 2025. The findings are fourfold. First, we classified the literature according to seven criteria: theory (12.2%), structure (35%), culture (3.6%), institution (3%), reality check (21.8%), external view (21.4%) and outcome (3%). Second, the review highlights the lack of a unified startup definition, as the literature alternates between imported and Algerian legal definitions. Third, we distinguish between teleological mortality and premature mortality, with implications for public policy. Fourth, we suggest that the Algerian business landscape operates according to the “matryoshka” thesis, where its evolution reflects overlapping micro-models rather than a linear succession