Scientometric Mapping of the Intellectual Landscape of Digital Transformation and Sustainable Supply Chain Innovation
Abstract
The accelerating convergence of digital transformation and sustainability imperatives is reshaping global supply chains, driving both technological innovation and responsible business practices. This study maps the intellectual structure and thematic evolution of research at the intersection of digital transformation (DT) and sustainable supply chain innovation (SSCI) through a scientometric analysis of 3,680 Scopus-indexed publications from 2003 to 2026. Using bibliometric indicators and visualization tools (VOSviewer and Bibliometrix in R), the study examined publication trends, prolific authors, influential journals, institutional and country contributions, thematic clusters, and collaboration networks. Results reveal a vibrant, globally distributed, and interdisciplinary field, with China leading in publication output and countries such as Germany, Italy, and the United States achieving higher citation impact per publication. Core themes include “digital transformation,” “sustainability,” and “industry 4.0,” while emerging topics such as ESG, carbon performance, and supply chain resilience reflect growing integration of technological and sustainability imperatives. The collaboration network showcases strong intra-European and cross-continental partnerships, aligning directly with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 9, SDG 12, SDG 13, and SDG 17). While the field is thematically mature, opportunities remain in niche areas such as blockchain integration, Industry 5.0 applications, and digital inclusion, offering directions for advancing both research and practice.
Downloads
References
Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959–975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007.
Carter, C. R., & Rogers, D. S. (2008). A framework of sustainable supply chain management: Moving toward new theory. International Journal of Physical Distribution & Logistics Management, 38(5), 360–387. https://doi.org/10.1108/0960003081088281
Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070
Hirsch, J. E. (2005). An index to quantify an individual’s scientific research output. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 102(46), 16569–16572. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0507655102
Li, H., Garcia, R., & Choi, T. M. (2024). Mapping sustainable supply chain innovation: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis. Heliyon, 10(7), e29157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29157
Lim, W. M., & Kumar, S. (2024). Guidelines for interpreting the results of bibliometric analysis: A sensemaking approach. Global Business and Organizational Excellence, 43(2), 17–26. https://doi.org/10.1002/joe.22229
Lotka, A. J. (1926). The frequency distribution of scientific productivity. Journal of the Washington Academy of Sciences, 16(12), 317–323.
Ivanov, D., Tsipoulanidis, A., & Schönberger, J. (2019). Digital supply chain, smart operations and Industry 4.0: A decision-oriented introduction to the creation of value. In Global Supply Chain and Operations Management (pp. 481–526). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94313-8_16
Marinoiu, A., et al. (2025). AI-Enabled Supply Chain Management: A Bibliometric Analysis Using VOSviewer and RStudio Bibliometrix Software Tools. Sustainability, 17(5), 2092. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17052092.
Mishra, D., Gunasekaran, A., Papadopoulos, T., & Childe, S. J. (2018). Big Data and supply chain management: A review and bibliometric analysis. Annals of Operations Research, 270, 313–336. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10479-016-2236-y
Mongeon, P., & Paul-Hus, A. (2016). The journal coverage of Web of Science and Scopus: A comparative analysis. Scientometrics, 106(1), 213–228.
Morris, M., Schindehutte, M., & Allen, J. (2018). The entrepreneur’s business model: Toward a unified perspective. Journal of Business Research, 58(6), 726–735.
Queiroz, M. M., Telles, R., & Bonilla, S. H. (2019). Blockchain and supply chain management integration: A systematic review of the literature. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 23(6), 545–560. https://doi.org/10.1108/SCM-03-2018-0141
Seuring, S., & Gold, S. (2013). Sustainability management beyond corporate boundaries: From stakeholders to performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 56, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.09.019
Seuring, S., & Müller, M. (2008). From a literature review to a conceptual framework for sustainable supply chain management. Journal of Cleaner Production, 16(15), 1699–1710. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2008.04.020.
Tiwari, S., & Goel, R. (Eds.). (2025). Sustainable Supply Chains and Digital Transformation (1st ed.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003477242
van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2010). Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics, 84, 523–538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3.
Vial, G. (2019). Understanding digital transformation: A review and a research agenda. Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 28, 118–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsis.2019.01.003.
Wang, S., Akter, S., & Zhang, X. (2023). A bibliometric analysis of the role of digitalization in achieving sustainability-oriented innovation. Sustainability, 17(13), 5822. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17135822
Zhang, Y., Kumar, A., & Tan, K. H. (2024). Digital transformation and sustainability in post-pandemic supply chains: A global bibliometric analysis of technological evolution and research patterns (2020–2024). Sustainability, 17(7), 3009. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073009
Zupic, I., & Čater, T. (2015). Bibliometric methods in management and organization. Organizational Research Methods, 18(3), 429–472. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428114562629
Author(s) and co-author(s) jointly and severally represent and warrant that the Article is original with the author(s) and does not infringe any copyright or violate any other right of any third parties, and that the Article has not been published elsewhere. Author(s) agree to the terms that the GPH Journal will have the full right to remove the published article on any misconduct found in the published article.