A bibliometric analysis of thematic developments in street-level bureaucracy research

Purpose Street-level bureaucracy (SLB) has been essential to public administration in executing government policies and shaping public service quality. This paper aims to uncover the knowledge gaps and ongoing challenges to inform future analysis on SLB. Design/methodology/approach This literature review analyzes the publications on SLB between 1971 and 2023 by using various bibliometric methods, including trend analysis, network co-occurrence, and thematic evolution from 994 journal articles extracted from the Scopus database. Findings Research on SLB has shifted focus from specific issues such as work efficiency in the early 2000s to broader themes like governance methods, policy implementation, social policy, and public service delivery. This change reflects the adaptation of the field to global challenges and policy evolutions. International collaborations have contributed to the evolution, enriching SLB discourse with cross-cultural insights and comparative analyses. The partnerships have led to innovative strategies and models to address the challenges faced by SLB, enhancing public service delivery and policy implementation. Originality/value This paper shows the need to integrate the shift in SLB from specific practices to broader administrative themes with the global insights from international collaborations. In underrepresented regions, such as Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, research is suggested to enrich the global understanding of SLB.