Unveiling the path to sustainability: two decades of knowledge management in sustainable supply chain – a scientometric analysis and visualization journey

Abstract

PurposeThe literature on knowledge management in sustainable supply chain (KMSSC) has witnessed significant growth in the past two decades. However, a scientometric review that consolidates the primary trends and clusters within this topic has been notably absent. This paper aims to scrutinize recent advancements and identify the intellectual underpinnings of KMSSC research conducted between 2002 and 2022.Design/methodology/approachThe present review employs a scientometric analysis approach via visualization maps of prolific contributions, co-citation, co-occurrence and thematic networks to examine a total of 114 articles and conference papers on KMSSC.FindingsEmerging research frontiers and hotspots are revealed and a state-of-the-art framework of KMSSC research structure is developed.Practical implicationsThe review provides significant implications that guide KMSSC research and better inform sustainability decisions in the supply chain context.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first review to thoroughly synthesize the intersected domain of KMSSC using scientometric analysis.