The investigation of research trends in supply chain management: an integrated method of meta-methodology and co-word analysis

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify the most important achievement in the area of the supply chain (SC) during the past two decades using meta-methodology, co-word analysis, as well as systematic review and in-depth analysis. The results indicated the sustainability and resilience of SC are hot topics. Therefore, the need for qualitative and longitudinal studies and the use of methods such as ethnography or historical analysis are understood well in this respect. The current study had a holistic approach to SC, and thus simultaneously covered the relevant areas and provided an appropriate strategy for identifying the missing circles in the SC field using the meta-study and scientometric instruments. In general, the present study identified the research gaps in this field, and other studies can use them as a guideline in order to choose future research areas.