From Fiscal Solvency to ESG Integration: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Evolution of Local Government Financial Sustainability Research
Keywords:
Local government, Financial sustainability, Bibliometric analysis, Fiscal solvency, ESG integration, Co-citation analysisAbstract
Abstract
Purpose—The objective of this study is to delineate the conceptual and thematic progression of research on local government financial sustainability (LGFS) over the last 20 years. Notwithstanding the increased scholarly focus, the current literature is disjointed across several disciplines and regions, exhibiting a paucity of synthesis about principal trends, topics, and authors.
Methodology—This study employed a bibliometric methodology to analyze 120 peer-reviewed papers indexed in Scopus from 2001 to 2025. Data were analyzed via VOSviewer and Biblioshiny to produce keyword co-occurrence networks, thematic maps, citation patterns, and co-authorship visualizations. This study delineates research clusters, increasing and diminishing subjects, and prominent scientists and institutions.
Findings—The findings indicate a shift from conventional fiscal issues, such as budgetary soundness and tax capacity, to comprehensive governance principles, including resilience, participatory budgeting, and social equality. Thematic mapping emphasizes "sustainable development" and "human development" as primary topics. Most research has been conducted in high-income nations, while notable contributions from the Global South are growing. Underexplored subjects such as intergenerational equality and digital fiscal instruments signify intriguing avenues for future research.
Implications—This study provides theoretical insights by redefining LGFS as a multifaceted governance framework. This illustrates the usefulness of scientific mapping techniques in public finance. It offers politicians a framework for improving fiscal sustainability through transparency, inclusivity, and innovation.
Novelty: This is the first complete bibliometric study to delineate both the structural and thematic growth of LGFS research, providing a reproducible framework and blueprint for future academic and policy involvement.
Keywords: Financial Sustainability of Local Government; Fiscal Decentralization; Bibliometric Analysis; Thematic Mapping; VOSviewer; Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Copyright (c) 2025 Edem Lekettey, Maya Sari, Emmanuel Jehu-Appiah
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