Socioeconomic Challenges Caused By Wage Slavery: A Bibliometric Analysis

This study explores the concept of wage slavery as a socioeconomic challenge by analysing its different aspects and manifestations as documented in academic research. The study investigates publication trends, sources, country contributions, authorship, keywords, and thematic areas, alongside qualitative analysis of the most frequently cited publications. It aims to provide a holistic understanding of wage slavery’s historical and contemporary contexts across interdisciplinary fields. Data was extracted from the Scopus database, yielding 882 documents, of which 472 were selected for analysis. The bibliometric analysis method was applied using Scopus, VOSviewer, and Harzing’s Publish or Perish to examine trends, keywords, thematic areas, and influential publications. The findings indicate that wage slavery has manifested in diverse forms throughout history, with significant implications for employees’ well-being. Key outcomes include increased stress levels, job dissatisfaction, and reduced overall life satisfaction. The study highlights an expansion of research on wage slavery as a socioeconomic challenge into various interdisciplinary contexts, uncovering key areas of interest such as economic exploitation, labour rights, and workplace ethics. This study offers a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of wage slavery, providing unique insights into its evolution in academic discourse. It identifies underexplored themes and suggests areas for future research, fostering a deeper understanding of its societal impact.