The intellectual structure of local capacity and poverty alleviation: A bibliometric analysis and future directions

Abstract

This study examines the intellectual structure and evolution of research on local capacity (LC) and poverty alleviation (PA) through a bibliometric analysis of 181 Scopus-indexed articles published between 2014 and 2024. Using R-Biblioshiny, the analysis integrates indicators of publication trends, citation patterns, institutional and geographical contributions, and thematic evolution to move beyond descriptive mapping toward interpretive insights. The findings reveal a steady annual growth rate of 7.97%, with a marked acceleration after 2020, indicating a reorientation of scholarship toward local governance capacity and resilience in response to global crises, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic. World Development and Public Administration and Development emerged as the most influential journals, while China dominated global research output, followed by Indonesia and several Global South institutions, though sub-Saharan Africa remained underrepresented. Highly cited works reveal the interdisciplinary nature of LC and PA research, linking governance, sustainability, and technological innovation. Thematic evolution demonstrates a transition from decentralization and top-down approaches toward participatory, sustainable, and digital strategies such as renewable energy and forest management. This study synthesizes how LC has increasingly been conceptualized as a multidimensional governance capability shaping poverty alleviation outcomes. It also identifies key bibliometric gaps that point to future research priorities, including marginalized governance capacities, comparative and transregional analysis, and the governance implications of digitalization. These insights support more context-sensitive and integrative policy approaches for sustainable poverty alleviation.

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