Mapping Four Decades of Foreign Direct Investment Research in Malaysia: A Bibliometric Analysis

This bibliometric analysis explored the research landscape of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Malaysia from 1984 to 2024. By systematically reviewing 480 scholarly articles, this study identified the evolution of research themes, key contributors, and the significant impact of seminal works in the field. The findings highlight the strong focus on the economic impact of FDI, its role in environmental sustainability, and the influence of global economic changes on FDI flows into Malaysia. The analysis further elucidates the pivotal role of Malaysian institutions and scholars in shaping the FDI discourse. Emerging research trends indicate a growing interest in the interplay between FDI and Malaysia’s digital economy, labor markets, and regional economic integration within ASEAN. This study maps the historical and current academic focus on FDI in Malaysia. It outlines future research directions that could assist policymakers and practitioners in leveraging FDI for sustainable and inclusive economic development.