Sustainable Transitions: A Systematic Bibliometric Review of Emerging Trends and Future Pathways

Maria Clara Batista Santos () and Amanda Fernandes Xavier ()
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Maria Clara Batista Santos: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Amanda Fernandes Xavier: Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

A chapter in Technology Management for Intelligent, Open and Responsible Organizations and Ecosystems, 2026, pp 57-66 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Sustainability transitions have emerged as a growing interdisciplinary field, addressing systemic transformations in response to environmental, social, and economic challenges. Despite rapid knowledge expansion, the field remains fragmented, with weak collaboration networks and geographical and gender imbalances. Bibliometric analysis provides a structured and reproducible approach to mapping intellectual developments and identifying research gaps. This study analyses 304 sustainability transition-related publications (2000–2023) using citation analysis, co-citation analysis and keyword co-occurrence analysis. Findings reveal six core research areas: intermediation and learning, higher education, grassroots innovations, business models, energy transition practices, and governance mechanisms. Future research should enhance institutional support, interdisciplinary integration, and inclusivity to advance sustainability transitions effectively.

Keywords: Transformative; Pathways; Bibliometric; Review; Socio-Technical; Transitions (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:prbchp:978-3-032-23282-3_8

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-23282-3_8

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