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Trends In Zombie Firms Research: A Bibliographic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Ivana BLAŽKOVÁ

    (Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic)

  • Ondřej DVOULETÝ

    (Prague University of Economics and Business, Czech Republic)

  • Gabriela CHMELÍKOVÁ

    (Mendel University in Brno, Czech Republic)

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to explore the knowledge infrastructure of research addressing the zombie issue using a bibliometric review approach combined with content analysis. The review includes 114 papers by 247 authors in 77 journals compiled using Web of Science database. The study demonstrates an exponential increase in research on the zombie issue after 2018, identifies four research streams within this topic, discusses their main findings so far, and proposes some research challenges and future research agenda of this relatively new research theme.

Suggested Citation

  • Ivana BLAŽKOVÁ & Ondřej DVOULETÝ & Gabriela CHMELÍKOVÁ, 2025. "Trends In Zombie Firms Research: A Bibliographic Review," Studies in Business and Economics, Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Faculty of Economic Sciences, vol. 20(2), pages 23-46, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:blg:journl:v:20:y:2025:i:2:p:23-46
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    File URL: http://magazines.ulbsibiu.ro/eccsf/RePEc/blg/journl/20202blazkova.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rey-Martí, Andrea & Ribeiro-Soriano, Domingo & Palacios-Marqués, Daniel, 2016. "A bibliometric analysis of social entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(5), pages 1651-1655.
    2. Ilan Alon & John Anderson & Ziaul Haque Munim & Alice Ho, 2018. "A review of the internationalization of Chinese enterprises," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 35(3), pages 573-605, September.
    3. Bahoo, Salman, 2020. "Corruption in banks: A bibliometric review and agenda," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 35(C).
    4. Imai, Kentaro, 2016. "A panel study of zombie SMEs in Japan: Identification, borrowing and investment behavior," Journal of the Japanese and International Economies, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 91-107.
    5. Viral V Acharya & Tim Eisert & Christian Eufinger & Christian Hirsch, 2019. "Whatever It Takes: The Real Effects of Unconventional Monetary Policy," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 32(9), pages 3366-3411.
    6. Dan Andrews & Müge Adalet McGowan & Valentine Millot, 2017. "Confronting the zombies: Policies for productivity revival," OECD Economic Policy Papers 21, OECD Publishing.
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