A comparative study of international and Chinese digitization from the perspective of mapping knowledge domains

Abstract

As a powerful tool to promote sustainable development, digitization profoundly impacts economic and social development. Systematically reviewing and performing econometric analyses of the literature in the digitization field can provide reference for the next stage of research. Based on the theory of bibliometric citation analysis and the knowledge domain mapping method, this study takes Web of Science United States (WOS) and Chinese Social Science Citation Index (CSSCI) as data sources and uses CiteSpace analysis tools to carry out data mining and visual comparative analysis on Chinese and international research hotspots, knowledge structure, and scientific research co-operation in the digitization field. The results show that (1) Chinese research hotspots and frontiers focus on digitization practice, while international research hotspots and frontiers focus on digitization theory, (2) that there is an ageing fault in the classic Chinese digitization literature, and the classic international digitization literature constantly changes with research hotspots, (3) and that the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom are at the centre of the international digitization scientific research cooperation network. There is close cooperation among international institutions and authors. There are few contacts between Chinese institutions. Chinese authors have less cooperation with authors from other countries in the world.