Beyond technical know how: A bibliometric study of future soft skills

Abstract

Background: To encourage economic and social progress, it is crucial to develop human capital and associate skill sets with job requirements. Due to the shift in necessary competencies and abilities, there is a discrepancy between what businesses demand and the professional profiles that are accessible in the labor market. COVID-19 has been the catalyst in accelerating the pace of change and affecting the job market. This has led to huge demand for upskilling and reskilling. Design/methodology/approach: A thorough study was carried out on 127 articles obtained from the SCOPUS database. These articles were collected by searching for the keyword “future skills” in Scopus. The study employed bibliometric techniques, to present a comprehensive view of future skill research, encompassing performance analysis and science mapping. Findings: The findings indicate a recent surge in research focused on future skills, and countries like United states and United Kingdom leading in this area. However, there remains ample room for further investigation, as outlined in this study. The majority of research on future skills is primarily associated with social sciences, business, management, and accounting disciplines. Originality/value: This paper stands out due to its pioneering approach in offering valuable insights into the present state of research on future skills. Additionally, by employing bibliometric analysis, it offers recommendations for potential future paths.