What do we know about wicked problems after nearly 52 years: A bibliometric analysis

Wicked problems have become a crucial area of study across various fields. This research offers an extensive bibliometric analysis of the literature surrounding wicked problems, aiming to clarify the intellectual framework and development of this research domain. By using the bibliometrix package in R software and VOSviewer, the study explores factors such as annual publication trends, author influence, source importance, and the historical progression of the field through citation analysis, co-citation analysis, and thematic mapping. The findings reveal an increasing acknowledgment of wicked problems in areas like public policy, environmental science, and governance, especially since the mid-2010s. The keyword co-occurrence analysis identifies key themes, such as governance, complexity, collaborative governance, and sustainability. Thematic clusters indicate a continuous focus on collaborative governance, public policy, sustainable development, and climate change, highlighting the immediate relevance of current global challenges. Emerging topics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, green energy, and collaborative innovation, suggest a developing comprehension of the intricacies and urgency surrounding wicked problems. Furthermore, emerging concepts like super wicked problems, clumsy solutions, and joined-up government point to new paths for scholarly investigation, reflecting an adaptive response to modern global issues. Overall, the insights drawn from this bibliometric analysis provide a solid foundation for future research, offering valuable guidance for researchers and practitioners in formulating more holistic and effective approaches to address these urgent challenges.