Sustainable development goals: a bibliometric analysis of literature reviews

Abstract

The research in sustainable development goals (SDG) increases year by year since its approval in 2015. Typically, after a phase of exponential growth, the number of publications increases at lower rates, suggesting a consolidation process in which literature reviews become a relevant and high-evidence type of document. In this context, the aim of this study was to perform an unprecedented bibliometric analysis of literature reviews on SDG to assess the evolution and consolidation of the scientific research. Article reviews on SDG from 2015 to 2022 were retrieved from Web of Science core collection and a descriptive bibliometric analysis was performed by growth rate, research area, source, citation, and region. Mapping and cluster analysis using keyword co-occurrence, co-authorship, and bibliographic coupling were also applied. The result revealed that SDG is a fast-growing field, with a trend in the diversification of research areas. Most of the review documents were categorized in general aspects of sustainability. Technology (SDG 9) and economic growth (SDG 8) were spotted as hidden key research areas. This result is contrary to previous bibliometric studies on SDG, demonstrating the rapid evolution and change in the field. In addition, literature reviews on reduced inequalities (SDG 10), gender equality (SDG 5); oceans, seas, and marine environments (SDG 14); and peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16) were revealed as research gaps. Thus, the results demonstrated that the research on SDG cannot yet be considered a consolidated area of research, as it leaves many SDG unexplored. Future research has been proposed accordingly.

A bibliometric analysis of sustainable development goals (SDGs): a review of progress, challenges, and opportunities

“…These results show progress and a trend in SDGs studies, pointing to a growth in environmental research. Similar findings have been reported in previous studies by Sweileh ( 2020 ), Londono-Pineda and Cano ( 2022 ), and Yamaguchi et al ( 2023 ). However, Yamaguchi et al ( 2023 ) focused on the most cited articles, and Sweileh ( 2020 ) only analyzed articles with the phrase “sustainable development goal”, while this study has a broader scope.…”

“…Similar findings have been reported in previous studies by Sweileh ( 2020 ), Londono-Pineda and Cano ( 2022 ), and Yamaguchi et al ( 2023 ). However, Yamaguchi et al ( 2023 ) focused on the most cited articles, and Sweileh ( 2020 ) only analyzed articles with the phrase “sustainable development goal”, while this study has a broader scope. In addition, Londono-Pineda and Cano ( 2022 ) analyzed the main methodologies used for evaluating SDGs through bibliometric analysis.…”

“…According to the results obtained, articles related to SDGs on hunger, energy, and peace were only published starting in 2017, while articles related to more applied and diverse SDGs research were found starting in 2018, as also reported by Yamaguchi et al ( 2023 ). Regarding the studies published starting in 2018, those of an environmental nature, i.e., related to nature and technology areas such as water and sanitation, industry, innovation and infrastructure, food and agriculture, business and management, development studies, and urban studies, climate change, and ecosystems, can be highlighted.…”

“…However, global warming and climate change are also global environmental threats to the life-supporting system on earth (Zhenmin & Espinosa, 2019 ). These results were expected, as environmental sciences are an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physics, biology, and geography and studies the environment and the solution to environmental problems, covering a wide range of topics (Yamaguchi et al, 2023 ).…”

“…In recent years, to supplement the existing qualitative reviews of SDGs research, scholars have also explored the SDGs domain through quantitative support such as meta-analysis and bibliometric analysis. Among these quantitative studies, Yamaguchi et al ( 2023 ) performed a bibliometric analysis of the literature on SDGs to assess the evolution and consolidation of scientific research from 2015 to 2022 retrieved from the Web of Science core collection and descriptive bibliometric analysis. The results showed that the field of SDGs is fast-growing, with a trend toward diversification of research areas.…”