Mapping the Intellectual Landscape of Blockchain Research: A Bibliometric Analysis

Blockchain, as a revolutionary decentralized technology, has attracted extensive attention from both academia and industry due to its tamper-proof and transparent characteristics. Despite its applications in healthcare, public services, and supply chains, existing research remains fragmented and lacks a systematic synthesis of its knowledge evolution. To address this gap, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of 484 papers retrieved from the Web of Science database, employing performance analysis, keyword co-occurrence, cluster analysis, and strategic mapping to illustrate the knowledge structure and thematic evolution of this field. The results indicate that research topics have shifted from early technical exploration to broader interdisciplinary domains, including management applications, user behavior, innovation mechanisms, and sustainability. Four major research clusters were identified: (1) technical architecture, (2) management and organization, (3) user behavior, and (4) innovation and sustainability. Thematic evolution highlights emerging frontier areas, including decentralized governance, digital assets, methodological advancements, and sustainability impacts. Building on these insights, we propose a structured research agenda to guide future inquiries. This study offers a systematic, data-driven assessment of blockchain research, identifies critical knowledge gaps, and proposes feasible directions for scholars and practitioners. The findings carry significant implications for theoretical advancement, policy-making, and the sustainable development of the blockchain ecosystem.