Innovation at the Board Level: Bibliometric Analysis over Three Decades

Abstract

Abstract This study aims to investigate the evolutionary path of the relationship between innovation and board research knowledge over the past thirty years. Its objective is to understand the scientific activity and influence of current research in this field. Furthermore, it aims to outline current theme trends and provide suggestions for future study in this field. This research is a quantitative exploration that involves analyzing an intellectual framework within the field. Using a bibliometric methodology, we carefully chose 184 papers from the Scopus database that are specifically focused on innovation at the board level. These studies were then subjected to thorough examination. The utilization of VOSviewer software enabled the clear and concise representation of the outcomes. The bibliometric study involved identifying research themes, current and future directions, co-occurrences, co-citations, impact, and collaboration tendencies. The methodological framework has four consecutive stages: data acquisition, data examination, data representation, and data interpretation. The data demonstrate a noticeable increase in scholarly interest, especially in the past three years, suggesting a growing field of study. Four main areas of research were identified: the relationship between board diversity and its effect on the innovation process; the interaction between board culture and the effectiveness of innovation; the impact of board structure on innovation; and the growing emphasis on green innovation influenced by boards of directors. The methodology of this study recognizes the complex relationships between innovation and the overall setting of the board of directors, providing useful insights for both academic research and practical decision-making in the field of company performance.