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The Measurement‐Impact Gap: A Bibliometric Diagnosis of Development Finance Institutions and SDG Research

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  • Juan Martinez Alvarez
  • Simon Fernandez‐Vazquez
  • Jiajun Xu
  • Rafael Rosillo

Abstract

The role of Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a topic of growing scholarly importance. While existing literature has mapped the thematic scope of this field, a critical diagnosis of its intellectual structure and inherent biases is missing. This study addresses that gap by using a bibliometric analysis of 271 articles from the Web of Science database not simply to describe the literature, but to critically evaluate its structure and identify its foundational weaknesses. Our analysis reveals a field characterized by a significant measurement–impact gap, a disconnection between research focused on DFI financial mechanisms and studies evaluating their ultimate development outcomes. We find this gap is driven by structural factors, including a thematic skew towards health (SDG 3) influenced by high‐impact external studies and a scarcity of technical research due to data access constraints. By diagnosing these structural limitations, this paper provides the first critical synthesis of the DFI–SDG literature and proposes a targeted research agenda designed to bridge the gap between analysing financial instruments and measuring their real‐world impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Martinez Alvarez & Simon Fernandez‐Vazquez & Jiajun Xu & Rafael Rosillo, 2026. "The Measurement‐Impact Gap: A Bibliometric Diagnosis of Development Finance Institutions and SDG Research," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(1), pages 749-767, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:34:y:2026:i:1:p:749-767
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.70289
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