No abstract

Sustainable Development Goal 9 targets (SDG 9 targets) are mainly tracked through the indicators of penetration of internet and mobile broadband subscription, logistic performance index, quality and ranking of the universities, investment in research and development initiatives, industrial reforms and emission control, and connectivity to rural areas. The attainment of many of these targets and tracking of indicators is confronted by challenges of poor awareness, funding issues, distorted policies, and implementation failures. This systematic review on achievements, challenges, and future scope in attaining SDG 9 consolidates the literature from the Web of Science, related to SDG 9 and indicators, since 2017; develops bibliometric patterns; conducts thematic analysis by focusing the leading indicators of SDG 9; and develops agenda for future research. The major limitations of this study include focusing on selected indicators and limited literature availability. This review recommends policymakers, researchers, and administrators to focus on promising themes such as tackling the digital divide and ensuring digital justice and digital equality; clean fuel and technology adoption; enhancing internet and mobile broadband subscription with reduced negative impacts, logistic sector reforms; industrial policy reforms and technology integration; improving the quality and sustainability of universities; and increasing funding and support for research and development initiatives and improving the rural connectivity. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-023-25281-5.