Crowdfunding, Social Capital and Sustainability – A Ten-Year Bibliometric Overview

Abstract

Crowdfunding has emerged as a versatile funding mechanism, drawing support from diverse contributors. Sustainability has taken center stage, fostering projects that prioritize both environmental and social responsibility. The success of crowdfunding initiatives is intricately tied to the concept of social capital, where the cultivation of trust and collaboration enhances the impact of campaigns. Recognizing the growing importance of crowdfunding in advancing sustainability and acknowledging the pivotal role of social capital, this paper presents a thorough bibliometric analysis. Covering the period from 2014 to 2023, our study examines 119 documents sourced from the Scopus and Web of Science databases, employing the keywords “crowdfunding” and “social capital.” The study employs a robust methodology, utilizing Microsoft Excel for frequency examination, VOSviewer for data visualization, and Harzing Publish or Perish for citation metrics and analysis. Our findings reveal a sustained decade-long growth in publications, with Italy emerging as the foremost contributor to crowdfunding and social capital research. Following closely are China, the United States, and Germany. The analysis goes beyond mere publication metrics, identifying key authorship patterns, collaboration networks, and prolific authors. Furthermore, it sheds light on the most active institutions, preferred journals, and top-cited articles in this field. This study makes a substantial contribution to the ongoing discourse surrounding the intersection of crowdfunding, sustainability, and social capital. By addressing the motivation, literature gap, methodology, and key findings, our analysis stands as a foundational resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers alike, providing valuable insights for further exploration in this evolving field.