A Bibliometric Analysis of Food-Energy-Water Nexus Literature

Adenike K. Opejin, Rimjhim M. Aggarwal, Dave D. White, J. Leah Jones, Ross Maciejewski, Giuseppe Mascaro and Hessam S. Sarjoughian
Additional contact information
Adenike K. Opejin: School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Rimjhim M. Aggarwal: School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Dave D. White: School of Community Resources and Development, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
J. Leah Jones: School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Ross Maciejewski: School of Computing, Informatics & Decision Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Giuseppe Mascaro: School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
Hessam S. Sarjoughian: School of Computing, Informatics & Decision Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 3, 1-18

Abstract: Rapid growth in the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus literature calls for an assessment of the trajectory and impacts of this scholarship to identify key themes and future research directions. In this paper, we report on a bibliometric analysis of this literature that focuses on (1) examining publication trends and geographic focus of research, (2) identifying research hotspots and emerging themes, (3) assessing the integrated nature of research, and (4) reflecting on major developments and ways forward. We used Elsevier’s SCOPUS database to search for publications from January 2011 to May 2018 on the FEW nexus, and analyzed the final sample of 257 publications using BibExcel and Vosviewer software tools. The analysis showed steady growth in publications since 2011 with a sharp upturn in 2015 and 2016, coinciding with major funding calls. Thematic analysis of abstracts revealed a strong focus on quantitative resource interlinkages with limited attention to qualitative institutional capacities and intersectoral governance challenges. Term co-occurrence network map showed the term “investment” connected with a large number of frequently cited terms, while the term “governance” demonstrated much weaker links. We reflect on how these findings may help us better understand and address the enduring challenge of transitioning from nexus thinking to action.

Keywords: bibliometrics; food-energy-water nexus; publications characteristics; thematic analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:1112-:d:316335

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