Research on the Development of Mergers and Acquisitions Based on CiteSpace Knowledge Mapping and Bibliometric Analysis

This study employs bibliometric analysis using CiteSpace to explore the evolution of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) research, identifying key themes and emerging trends. Findings highlight dominant topics such as performance evaluation, corporate governance, and cross-border M&A, while recent shifts emphasize digital transformation, ESG considerations, and AI-driven decision making. The results reveal a structured yet fragmented research landscape, with high-centrality keywords bridging different themes. Citation burst analysis underscores the growing focus on financial resilience, innovation, and sustainability. This study provides insights into M&A research development, offering future directions for interdisciplinary exploration in finance, management, and sustainability.