JURNAL HUKUM
Vol 42, No 3 (2026): Vol 42 No 3 (2026)

Sustainable Government and the SDGs: A Bibliometric Analysis and Thematic Evolution of Public Sector Sustainability Research (2016–2025)

Simon Saimima (University of Brawijaya)
Andy Fefta Wijaya (University of Brawijaya)
Endah Setyowati (University of Brawijaya)
Benny Hutahayan (University of Brawijaya)



Article Info

Publish Date
14 Aug 2026

Abstract

This study maps the intellectual structure, thematic evolution, and knowledge production landscape of sustainable government research related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It applies a bibliometric and science-mapping approach to analyze 347 English-language journal articles indexed in Scopus between 2016 and 2025. Data are analyzed using Biblioshiny/Bibliometrix and VOSviewer to examine publication trends, citation impact, leading authors, institutions, countries, and conceptual structures through co-occurrence and thematic mapping analyses. The results show rapid growth in scientific production, particularly after 2020, indicating increasing scholarly attention to SDG-oriented governance. Citation impact is higher among earlier publications, reflecting their foundational role in shaping the field. Knowledge production is geographically concentrated, led by China, Indonesia, the Netherlands, the United States, and Australia, supported by leading institutional hubs such as the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development and major universities in Asia and Europe. Conceptually, governance integration, SDGs, and climate change emerge as motor themes, while sustainability functions as a foundational theme connecting governance, accountability, and policy implementation. Digital transformation and institutional innovation emerge as key enabling themes supporting sustainable governance. This study contributes by consolidating fragmented literature into an SDG-centered governance framework and provides insights into the field’s intellectual structure, thematic maturity, and future research directions.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

jurnalhukum

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Social Sciences

Description

The aims of this journal is to provide a venue for academicians, researchers and practitioners for publishing the original research articles or review articles. The scope of the articles published in this journal deal with a broad range of topics, including: Criminal Law; Civil Law; International ...