Asia’s Economic Evolution Through the Lens of Bibliometrics
Allen Grace M. Sarmiento
Discipline: business and management (non-specific)
Abstract:
This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of economic development research in
Asia, using co-citation and co-word techniques to map the field's intellectual and thematic landscape. While
many bibliometric studies examine narrow topics, this research addresses a gap by offering a holistic
synthesis of the field. The objective of this study is to identify the intellectual structure and thematic evolution
of this research domain. Drawing from a curated dataset of peer-reviewed articles from the Scopus database,
the analysis identifies seven distinct co-citation clusters and five thematic groupings. Key findings highlight
the convergence of research on critical domains, including foreign direct investment (FDI), institutional
quality, financial inclusion, and trade integration. The analysis also reveals emerging themes such as
sustainability, innovation, and crisis response, underscoring the field's interdisciplinary nature. The resulting
intellectual map provides a valuable guide for researchers, policymakers, and students. It clarifies the
evolution of development thought, demonstrates the power of bibliometric tools, and helps identify new
directions for future, evidence-based inquiry across Asia.
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