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A Bibliometric Analysis of Food-Energy-Water Nexus Literature

Author

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  • Adenike K. Opejin

    (School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA)

  • Rimjhim M. Aggarwal

    (School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA)

  • Dave D. White

    (School of Community Resources and Development, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA)

  • J. Leah Jones

    (School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA)

  • Ross Maciejewski

    (School of Computing, Informatics & Decision Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA)

  • Giuseppe Mascaro

    (School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA)

  • Hessam S. Sarjoughian

    (School of Computing, Informatics & Decision Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA)

Abstract

Rapid growth in the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus literature calls for an assessment of the trajectory and impacts of this scholarship to identify key themes and future research directions. In this paper, we report on a bibliometric analysis of this literature that focuses on (1) examining publication trends and geographic focus of research, (2) identifying research hotspots and emerging themes, (3) assessing the integrated nature of research, and (4) reflecting on major developments and ways forward. We used Elsevier’s SCOPUS database to search for publications from January 2011 to May 2018 on the FEW nexus, and analyzed the final sample of 257 publications using BibExcel and Vosviewer software tools. The analysis showed steady growth in publications since 2011 with a sharp upturn in 2015 and 2016, coinciding with major funding calls. Thematic analysis of abstracts revealed a strong focus on quantitative resource interlinkages with limited attention to qualitative institutional capacities and intersectoral governance challenges. Term co-occurrence network map showed the term “investment” connected with a large number of frequently cited terms, while the term “governance” demonstrated much weaker links. We reflect on how these findings may help us better understand and address the enduring challenge of transitioning from nexus thinking to action.

Suggested Citation

  • Adenike K. Opejin & Rimjhim M. Aggarwal & Dave D. White & J. Leah Jones & Ross Maciejewski & Giuseppe Mascaro & Hessam S. Sarjoughian, 2020. "A Bibliometric Analysis of Food-Energy-Water Nexus Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:1112-:d:316335
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Joel O. Botai & Christina M. Botai & Katlego P. Ncongwane & Sylvester Mpandeli & Luxon Nhamo & Muthoni Masinde & Abiodun M. Adeola & Michael G. Mengistu & Henerica Tazvinga & Miriam D. Murambadoro & S, 2021. "A Review of the Water–Energy–Food Nexus Research in Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-26, February.
    3. Ernesto Mesa-Vázquez & Juan F. Velasco-Muñoz & José A. Aznar-Sánchez & Belén López-Felices, 2021. "Three Decades of Behavioural Economics in Agriculture. An Overview of Global Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-21, September.
    4. Juan F. Velasco-Munoz & José A. Aznar-Sánchez & Marina Schoenemann & Belén López-Felices, 2022. "The economic valuation of ecosystem services: bibliometric analysis," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 13(4), pages 977-1014, December.
    5. Jing Zhu & Shenghong Kang & Wenwu Zhao & Qiujie Li & Xinyuan Xie & Xiangping Hu, 2020. "A Bibliometric Analysis of Food–Energy–Water Nexus: Progress and Prospects," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-22, December.
    6. Olga Pilipczuk, 2022. "Building the Cognitive Enterprise in the Energy Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-13, December.
    7. Sandra Ricart & Rubén A. Villar-Navascués & Maria Hernández-Hernández & Antonio M. Rico-Amorós & Jorge Olcina-Cantos & Enrique Moltó-Mantero, 2021. "Extending Natural Limits to Address Water Scarcity? The Role of Non-Conventional Water Fluxes in Climate Change Adaptation Capacity: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-31, February.
    8. Zhang, Tianyuan & Tan, Qian & Wang, Shuping & Zhang, Tong & Hu, Kejia & Zhang, Shan, 2022. "Assessment and management of composite risk in irrigated agriculture under water-food-energy nexus and uncertainty," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 262(C).
    9. Jing-Li Fan & Qian Wang & Xian Zhang, 2021. "A bibliometric analysis of the water-energy-food nexus based on the SCIE and SSCI database of the Web of Science," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 26(2), pages 1-26, February.
    10. Davidescu, Adriana AnaMaria & Petcu, Monica Aureliana & Curea, Stefania Cristina & Manta, Eduard Mihai, 2022. "Two faces of the same coin: Exploring the multilateral perspective of informality in relation to Sustainable Development Goals based on bibliometric analysis," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 683-705.
    11. J. Leah Jones & Dave D. White, 2021. "A social network analysis of collaborative governance for the food-energy-water nexus in Phoenix, AZ, USA," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 11(4), pages 671-681, December.

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