International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy: a retrospective overview

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to synthesize the knowledge published in the International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy since its inaugural issue to current issue, i.e. from 1981 to 2021, using a structured and systematic review technique.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to achieve the objective of this paper, the authors have analysed the bibliometric metadata of 1,583 research documents published during the last four decades in International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy by employing a structural and quantitative literature review technique, i.e. bibliometric. Particularly, the authors used performance analysis and network analysis (intellectual and social network analysis).

Findings

Findings reveal the performance metrics, i.e. productivity and citation performance of various constituencies of IJSSP such as authors, institutes, research articles etc. In addition, the authors constituted certain knowledge networks such as keywords co-occurrence, strategic map and social network.

Research limitations/implications

Present systematic and objective review reveals the evolution and pattern of research publication in IJSSP, and this will help in predicting and setting the future course of knowledge creation such as emphasis on a particular theory or framework, reexamining the established assumptions and so on.

Practical implications

In the wake of changing social policy dynamics, the present systematic synthesis helps in understanding the possible emerging areas of concerns both for practitioners and policymakers.

Originality/value

The present study is a first attempt that considers the entire research corpus of the journal and synthesizes it objectively and systematically.

Citation

Bamel, N., Kumar, S., Bamel, U. and Gaur, V. (2023), "International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy: a retrospective overview", International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, Vol. 43 No. 1/2, pp. 247-271. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSSP-01-2022-0031