Visualization and Analysis of Hotspots and Trends in Seafood Cold Chain Logistics Based on CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and RStudio Bibliometrix

Abstract

The development of cold chain logistics for seafood plays a pivotal role in guaranteeing food safety, promoting economic progress, reducing losses, and fostering sustainable development, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of the seafood supply chain. This study conducted a comprehensive investigation into the primary research focuses of the seafood cold chain logistics field using the literature on visualization analysis software (CiteSpace (6.2.R6), VOSviewer (1.6.20), and RStudio Bibliometrix (4.4.0)). A total of 1787 articles were collected and further analyzed from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Web of Science (WOS), and Google databases over 12 years, establishing a knowledge framework for research in seafood cold chain logistics. Through the utilization of keyword clustering and emerging analysis techniques, the study constructed a knowledge map that intuitively describes the emerging trends and key hotspot in this field. The results indicate a growing trend in the seafood cold chain logistics field, with disciplines such as mathematics, systems, and physics being notably prominent. Key terms such as “cold chain logistics”, “highlighted supply chain management”, “frozen storage techniques”, “cold storage practices”, “post-harvest loss prevention strategies”, and “optimization of the cold chain” frequently appear in the literature, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary academic research in these areas. By exploring the current development of the seafood cold chain logistics field, we strengthen the research gaps in the literature and propose future research directions. Therefore, well-conducted bibliometric studies can play a crucial role in advancing the field by providing comprehensive insights, facilitating scholarly discussions, identifying knowledge gaps, generating new research ideas, and showcasing their intended contributions to the field.