Innovación frugal: un análisis bibliométrico de la evolución de un nuevo campo de conocimiento

Frugal innovation focuses on the development of accessible products and services using reusable, recyclable, repairable, and low-cost materials. Although it is a relatively recent field, it has gained relevance both in low-income countries, where it originated, and in high-income territories. This research carried out a bibliometric review to analyze the evolution of the literature on this type of innovation. A total of 475 articles were used, extracted from the Web of Science database and published between 2011 and 2024. With the support of VosViewer software, the most cited authors, the most productive journals, the most frequent keywords, and collaborations between countries and organizations were examined. Additionally, relationships between keywords and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were identified, allowing for a connection between frugal innovation and sustainability-related topics. The results contribute to a broader understanding of the countries most engaged in researching or implementing this type of innovation, the most frequently addressed topics, and the connections between regions. The findings also show that, although this approach has high potential in the Global South, there are still barriers that hinder its promotion, along with a trend toward the appropriation of this concept by developed countries to enhance their own technological conditions.