Quarterly Publication

Knowledge Mapping and Research Trends of Sustainable Supply Chain in the Petrochemical Industry: A Bibliometric Analysis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Industrial Management, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran

2 Department of Management, Meybod University, Meybod, Iran

3 Department of Industrial Management, Yazd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yazd

Abstract
This study aims to map the knowledge structure and elucidate the research trends related to the “sustainable supply chain” in the petrochemical industry. To this end, a total of 906 documents indexed in the Scopus database from 2000 to 2025 were collected and subjected to bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny tools. The results indicate that the scientific output in this field has experienced significant growth since 2010 and reached a maturity stage after 2019. Collaboration network analysis highlights the prominent role of the United States, the United Kingdom, and China in shaping the literature of this domain, alongside the gradually increasing contributions of countries such as Iran, Malaysia, and Brazil. Co-occurrence analysis of keywords reveals several established thematic clusters and interdisciplinary linkages among engineering, management, and environmental studies. By providing a comprehensive overview of the intellectual, conceptual, and social structure of the field, the findings of this study can serve as a foundation for guiding future research and supporting practical decision-making aimed at enhancing sustainability in the petrochemical supply chain.

Highlights

·        This study provides the first comprehensive science mapping of sustainable supply chain research specifically within the petrochemical industry, based on an analysis of 906 Scopus-indexed documents published between 2000 and 2025.

·        The field exhibits a clear transition from growth to maturity after 2019, revealing well-defined research trajectories and influential intellectual foundations.

·        Network analyses identify the United States, China, and the United Kingdom as central knowledge hubs, while Iran, Malaysia, and Brazil emerge as increasingly active contributors to the global collaboration network.

·        Three major thematic clusters are identified: sustainability and supply chain management, life-cycle environmental assessment, and emission- and energy-related sustainability.

·        Trend-topic analysis highlights rapidly growing research frontiers, including circular economy models, hydrogen storage technologies, low-emission systems, and alternative energy integration.

Keywords

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 04 December 2025
  • Revise Date 18 February 2026
  • Accept Date 15 April 2026