Fifty years of research on silver economy : a bibliometric analysis

• Frame of the research: Population ageing is a global demographic trend that will have tremendous implications for individuals, firms, organizations, policy makers and, in general, for mostly all sectors of society. Specifically, silver economy (SE) encompasses all the activities aimed at providing goods and services that meet the changing needs of this heterogeneous market. While academic interest on SE has greatly increased in the last years, management research on older persons is still fragmented and needs to be systematized. Purpose of the paper: This paper establishes the state of the art and the emerging issues on the SE in the management literature to define and prioritize the future research directions that will support scholars who wish to address the silver market. Methodology: A systematic review of the literature published between 1969 and 2022 was conducted using bibliometric techniques. Findings: Based on bibliographic coupling, 10 clusters emerge, showing the heterogeneity of contributions on the SE in management. Analysis of the thematic map reveals five main research topics on the SE, classified according to the degree of relevance and the level of development. Service quality and service providers are the motor themes (i.e., well-developed and important themes) in the SE management literature. Research limits: Future studies could analyse the single clusters more fully to identify specific features of SE in the various management research fields. Practical implications: This study helps managers to better focus on the design, production and delivery of goods and services in line with the emerging complexity and extension of the population life cycle. Originality of the paper: As far as we are aware, this study is the first to systematize knowledge on the SE in the management literature and to propose a comprehensive research agenda for management scholars.

Ämnesord

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Företagsekonomi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Business Administration (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

bibliometric analysis

management

research agenda

seniors

silver economy

Business Administration

Företagsekonomi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)