Change management and organizational performance: current key trends

This paper provides a comprehensive review of the literature on the relationship between change management and organizational performance through bibliometric and thematic analysis. Using the Web of Science database, 304 publications were analyzed with VOS viewer and biblioshiny in R-studio. The study examines author engagement, keyword trends, co-authorship networks, and conceptual structures. Findings reveal a growing research interest in this field across various geographical regions. The United States and China are the most influential countries, while Appelbaum from Concordia University in Canada is the most productive researcher. The research’s conceptual structure focuses on four key aspects: human, organizational, technological, and leadership. Co-word analysis categorizes topics based on their intensity, specialization, and level of development, distinguishing well-researched areas from emerging and underexplored themes. This approach provides a clearer understanding of thematic and temporal developments in the field. By mapping the conceptual landscape, this study highlights key research areas and identifies future directions for exploration. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how change management impacts organizational performance and offer insights for scholars and practitioners interested in advancing the field.