Evolution and Trends in Flexibility Management Research: A Bibliometric Analysis (1971-2025)
Keywords:
Flexibility Management, Bibliometric Analysis, Resilience, Adaptive Capacity, Digital TransformationAbstract
This study employs a quantitative method with a bibliometric analysis of flexibility management literature from 1971 to 2025, examining key trends, influential authors, major subject areas, and evolving research focuses. The analysis reveals that publication activity remained low until the early 2000s, followed by a significant increase around 2005, peaking between 2018 and 2022. This surge reflects the growing importance of flexibility management in addressing technological, organizational, and environmental challenges. The most prolific authors, including Ford, J.D., and Johnson, F.A., have made substantial contributions to the field, while the most cited articles primarily focus on resilience, adaptive capacity, and risk management. A subject area analysis highlights the interdisciplinary nature of flexibility management, with Environmental Science (35.2%) and Social Sciences (18.4%) as the dominant fields. An overlay visualization of research evolution indicates a shift from foundational resilience concepts to AI-driven adaptability, digital transformation, and real-time decision-making. Future research should explore AI-driven flexibility models, resilience in digital transformation, adaptive energy systems, and interdisciplinary approaches integrating behavioural economics and cognitive decision-making. This study provides insights into the historical development of flexibility management research and identifies emerging areas warranting further investigation, offering valuable guidance for future studies and practical applications.
References
Adobor, H., & Kudonoo, E. C. (2025). Antifragility and organizations: an organizational design perspective. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 46(2), 351–375. https://doi.org/10.1108/LODJ-03-2024-0185
Agostini, L., Nosella, A., Sarala, R., & Nkeng, C. (2023). Emerging trends around strategic flexibility: a systematic review supported by bibliometric techniques. Management Decision. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-02-2023-0135
Allen, C., Malekpour, S., & Mintrom, M. (2023). Cross‐scale, cross‐level and multi‐actor governance of transformations toward the Sustainable Development Goals: A review of common challenges and solutions. Sustainable Development, 31(3), 1250–1267. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2495
Folke, C. (2006). Resilience: The emergence of a perspective for social-ecological systems analyses. Global Environmental Change, 16(3), 253–267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2006.04.002
Gallopín, G. C. (2006). Linkages between vulnerability, resilience, and adaptive capacity. Global Environmental Change, 16(3), 293–303. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2006.02.004
Gunderson, L. H. (2000). Ecological resilience - In theory and application. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 31, 425–439. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.31.1.425
Hallegatte, S., Green, C., Nicholls, R. J., & Corfee-Morlot, J. (2013). Future flood losses in major coastal cities. Nature Climate Change, 3(9), 802–806. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1979
Hirabayashi, Y., Mahendran, R., Koirala, S., Konoshima, L., Yamazaki, D., Watanabe, S., Kim, H., & Kanae, S. (2013). Global flood risk under climate change. Nature Climate Change, 3(9), 816–821. https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate1911
Koutroukis, T., Chatzinikolaou, D., Vlados, C., & Pistikou, V. (2022). The Post-COVID-19 Era, Fourth Industrial Revolution, and New Globalization: Restructured Labor Relations and Organizational Adaptation. Societies, 12(6), 187. https://doi.org/10.3390/soc12060187
Kustiwi, I.A. 2024. “Accounting Information System (AIS): Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Management in Farm Tourism Kelompok Tani Elok Mekar Sari.” DiE: Jurnal Ilmu Ekonomi Dan Manajemen 15(1):123–31. doi: 10.30996/die.v15i1.10634.
Kustiwi, I. A., Hwihanus, H. 2023. Sistem Informasi Akuntansi Dari Sisi Audit Internal. JPEKBM (Jurnal Pendidikan Ekonomi, Kewirausahaan, Bisnis, dan Manajemen, Vol 7, No 2.
Lesk, C., Rowhani, P., & Ramankutty, N. (2016). Influence of extreme weather disasters on global crop production. Nature, 529(7584), 84–87. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature16467
Miceli, A., Hagen, B., Riccardi, M. P., Sotti, F., & Settembre-Blundo, D. (2021). Thriving, Not Just Surviving in Changing Times: How Sustainability, Agility and Digitalization Intertwine with Organizational Resilience. Sustainability, 13(4), 2052. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13042052
Millar, C. I., Stephenson, N. L., & Stephens, S. L. (2007). Climate change and forests of the future: Managing in the face of uncertainty. Ecological Applications, 17(8), 2145–2151. https://doi.org/10.1890/06-1715.1
Olsson, P., Folke, C., & Berkes, F. (2004). Adaptive comanagement for building resilience in social-ecological systems. Environmental Management, 34(1), 75–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-003-0101-7
Pahl-Wostl, C. (2009). A conceptual framework for analysing adaptive capacity and multi-level learning processes in resource governance regimes. Global Environmental Change, 19(3), 354–365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2009.06.001
Srivastava, S., Agarwal, V., Dwivedi, A., Patil, A., Bag, S., & Foropon, C. R. H. (2025). Contributing Factors for Building a Flexible Supply Chain in the Digital Age: Studying Their Impact on SDGs. Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, 26(1), 141–161. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40171-024-00431-x
Sulistyowati, T. (2024). Trends And Patterns In Online Purchase Decision Research: A Literature Review And Bibliometric Analysis. Ecobisma, 11(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36987/ecobi.v11i2.4328
Sulistyowati, T., Nisak, S., Mujanah, S., & Halik, A. (2025). Tourist Shopping Trends_ A Bibliometric Study of Influential Literature and Leading Scholars (1957-2024). Pancasila International Journal of Applied Social Science, 3(1), 76–91. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.59653/pancasila.v3i01.1265
