Three decades of multilevel governance research: A scientometric and conceptual mapping in the social sciences
Multilevel governance (MLG) has evolved into a pivotal concept in public administration and political science, particularly in addressing the complexity of cross-jurisdictional policy challenges in an increasingly globalized world. This study conducted a comprehensive scientometric and content analy...
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Elsevier
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125004735 |
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| author | Sajida |
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| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Multilevel governance (MLG) has evolved into a pivotal concept in public administration and political science, particularly in addressing the complexity of cross-jurisdictional policy challenges in an increasingly globalized world. This study conducted a comprehensive scientometric and content analysis of 1358 MLG-related publications indexed in Scopus between 1994 and 2023. Using the Biblioshiny in R Studio, this study mapped the intellectual structure, publication trends, thematic evolution, and conceptual clustering of MLG scholarships. The findings reveal a distinct shift in research trajectories from foundational discussions on Europeanization and institutional design towards contemporary themes such as accountability, climate governance, and pandemic response. A conceptual framework derived from 39 full-text analyses identified several critical dimensions of MLG: vertical distribution of power; asymmetry of power and responsibility; inter-level coordination; involvement of non-state actors; institutional flexibility; inter-level conflict; learning and policy transfer; role of transnational networks; ambiguity of accountability; local context factors; multiscalarity; policy fragmentation; critique of effectiveness; democratic legitimacy; interconnectedness of global-local issues. These results offer both a longitudinal mapping of academic discourse and an integrative lens for rethinking the governance architecture in response to global challenges. This study contributes theoretically by advancing the conceptual boundaries of MLG and offering evidence-informed guidance for adaptive, cross-level policy design. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e80dcb1bd00e45309972b8e8548ccb06 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2590-2911 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Social Sciences and Humanities Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-e80dcb1bd00e45309972b8e8548ccb062025-08-20T03:16:08ZengElsevierSocial Sciences and Humanities Open2590-29112025-01-011210174510.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101745Three decades of multilevel governance research: A scientometric and conceptual mapping in the social sciences Sajida0Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Social and Political Science, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Kentingan, Jl. Ir. Sutami No.36A, Jebres, Surakarta, Central Java, 57126, IndonesiaMultilevel governance (MLG) has evolved into a pivotal concept in public administration and political science, particularly in addressing the complexity of cross-jurisdictional policy challenges in an increasingly globalized world. This study conducted a comprehensive scientometric and content analysis of 1358 MLG-related publications indexed in Scopus between 1994 and 2023. Using the Biblioshiny in R Studio, this study mapped the intellectual structure, publication trends, thematic evolution, and conceptual clustering of MLG scholarships. The findings reveal a distinct shift in research trajectories from foundational discussions on Europeanization and institutional design towards contemporary themes such as accountability, climate governance, and pandemic response. A conceptual framework derived from 39 full-text analyses identified several critical dimensions of MLG: vertical distribution of power; asymmetry of power and responsibility; inter-level coordination; involvement of non-state actors; institutional flexibility; inter-level conflict; learning and policy transfer; role of transnational networks; ambiguity of accountability; local context factors; multiscalarity; policy fragmentation; critique of effectiveness; democratic legitimacy; interconnectedness of global-local issues. These results offer both a longitudinal mapping of academic discourse and an integrative lens for rethinking the governance architecture in response to global challenges. This study contributes theoretically by advancing the conceptual boundaries of MLG and offering evidence-informed guidance for adaptive, cross-level policy design.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125004735Multi-level governanceEuropean unionGovernanceGlobal policyScientometric analysis |
| spellingShingle | Sajida Three decades of multilevel governance research: A scientometric and conceptual mapping in the social sciences Social Sciences and Humanities Open Multi-level governance European union Governance Global policy Scientometric analysis |
| title | Three decades of multilevel governance research: A scientometric and conceptual mapping in the social sciences |
| title_full | Three decades of multilevel governance research: A scientometric and conceptual mapping in the social sciences |
| title_fullStr | Three decades of multilevel governance research: A scientometric and conceptual mapping in the social sciences |
| title_full_unstemmed | Three decades of multilevel governance research: A scientometric and conceptual mapping in the social sciences |
| title_short | Three decades of multilevel governance research: A scientometric and conceptual mapping in the social sciences |
| title_sort | three decades of multilevel governance research a scientometric and conceptual mapping in the social sciences |
| topic | Multi-level governance European union Governance Global policy Scientometric analysis |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590291125004735 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sajida threedecadesofmultilevelgovernanceresearchascientometricandconceptualmappinginthesocialsciences |