Women financial inclusion research: a bibliometric and network analysis

Abstract

Purpose

Despite its importance, the literature on women financial inclusion (WFI) remains fragmented due to the absence of a comprehensive review that consolidates the intellectual structure of the field. This paper examines the intellectual structure of the topic and gives a complete overview of the research undertaken so far in the field.

Design/methodology/approach

A bibliometric study of 235 Scopus-indexed publications, including citation analysis, keyword network analysis, co-authorship analysis and reference co-citation analysis using VOSviewer was performed.

Findings

The study identified major contributors to the field (the most prolific author was Ghosh, S.), the leading journals in the field (the World Development), the geographical locations where research in the field is concentrated (India is the leading country) and the organisations focussing on green consumer research (leading organisation: The World Bank, USA). In addition, four significant themes that describe the body of information about women's financial inclusion were found.

Originality/value

This study provides policymakers and academic scholars with fresh insights at a higher level into this burgeoning topic. Such insights would aid in the development of initiatives to address women's financial inclusion concerns.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-06-2022-0438.

Citation

Mushtaq, R., Dastane, O., Rafiq, M. and Başar, B.D. (2023), "Women financial inclusion research: a bibliometric and network analysis", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 50 No. 8, pp. 1169-1185. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-06-2022-0438