Cold Chain Management and Firm Performance: A Bibliometric Analysis and Future Research Direction

Abstract

The bibliometric analysis explores the field of research on cold chain management and its impact on firm performance, aiming to identify trends, gaps, and future research directions in the field. Leveraging on data from the Web of Science database, 155 articles published between 2015 and 2024 were analysed. The study reveals a growing interest in this area, with an increasing number of publications over the years, particularly, with notable spikes in 2022 and 2023. Key sources such as the Journal of Cleaner Production and Industrial Management and data Systems emerged as influential contributors to the literature. Prominent authors like Li, G. and Zhang, J. have made significant contributions, China leads in scientific production followed by India and the UK. The thematic evolution highlights shifting research streams from demand and logistics in cold chains to include topics like sustainability and impact on cold supply chains. Collaboration networks by countries and authors reveal central players like the USA and China, as well as influential authors such as Zhang, J. and Li, G. co-citation networks, identify seminar works driving the discus, including papers by Saif A and Wang S.Y. Overall, the study underscores the importance of effective cold chain management for firm performance and offers valuable insights for future research, emphasising the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and addressing emerging challenges in the field, such as sustainability and pandemic resilience. This analysis provides a foundation for scholars and practitioners to advance knowledge and practices in cold chain management, thereby enhancing operational efficiency, product quality, and market competitiveness.