A critical review of manufacturing and supply chain research through co-words analysis: 2004–2014

Abstract

The present work carries out a comprehensive and systematic review of academic research on supply chain and manufacturing flexibility, using -a specific type of bibliometric indicator-co-words analysis. This approach provides a more methodical view of the development and size of this research line, synthesise and organise existing knowledge through the identification of research clusters, and identify potential avenues for future research. The results reveal that this field has a rich, complex structure and various branches of topics with different levels of development. We found well developed themes, such as Performance; emerging themes, such as Perspective and Product Development; peripheral themes, such as Model; and specialized themes, such as Marketing Channel.