A five-decade review of academic research on healthcare supply chain: a bibliometric approach using co-word analysis and bibliographic coupling.

Purpose: This paper analysed the impact and evolution of scientific research on the healthcare supply chain (HCS) from a longitudinal perspective, covering the period 1971-2024. The study used data from the Web of Science and Scopus databases to identify emerging and established areas of study in the field of HCS.

Design/methodology/approach: A bibliometric study was conducted using a dataset of 3,602 publications. The analysis focused on keyword co-occurrences to examine the evolution of HCS research. The representation of keywords is presented in tables, diagrams and longitudinal maps to highlight research topics in the field.

Findings: This study provides insights into the evolution of HCS research in terms of emerging and established areas of study. The analysis of 3,602 publications allowed the identification of key themes and trends in the field and offers a comprehensive view of the state of the art. The results are presented through tables, diagrams and longitudinal maps, thus facilitating a clearer understanding of the research landscape.

Practical implications: The findings have practical implications for researchers and scholars in the HSC domain. The identified research areas and trends provide valuable guidance for future research in the field. Researchers can use this information to navigate the current state of the field and make informed decisions about the direction of their research.

Originality/value: This study contributes to the understanding of the evolution of scientific research on healthcare supply chain from 1971 to 2024. By employing bibliometric analysis and visual representations, a unique perspective on the HCS landscape is presented. The results provide valuable insights for researchers and scholars, offering a foundation for further investigations in the field of HSC research.