Identify globalisation, logistics and port trends using bibliometric mapping: WoS and Scopus data from 1996 to 2025

In a globalised trading environment, the role of logistics and ports is becoming increasingly important with the rapid development of international trade. This study makes a unique contribution to the field by addressing the issues of globalisation, logistics and ports (GLP) through bibliometric analysis. The originality of the research lies in its holistic approach to examining GLP issues through scientific mapping. In this respect, the study fills an important gap in the literature by addressing the issues of globalisation, logistics and ports, which have so far been studied separately, in an integrated framework and by highlighting the interactions between these fields. In this context, we searched the Scopus and WoS databases on 11 January 2025 using keywords related to GLP and obtained a dataset of 265 publications covering the period 1996–2025. The analysis shows that the GLP literature is growing and that academic interest in the field continues. It also shows that GLP is often discussed in relation to key economic agendas such as competitiveness, sustainability and efficiency. According to the Country Collaboration Network analysis, China, the United States of America and the United Kingdom are among the most prominent countries in GLP publications, showing that these countries have established a strong collaborative network both among themselves and with other countries. In terms of responsible authors, in addition to these three countries, Spain is also a prominent actor. This situation shows that researchers in these countries have a central and influential position in GLP studies. Moreover, the study systematically documents the links between key GLP issues and offers a comprehensive analysis of the literature. The findings are of strategic importance not only to the academic community but also to policy makers and industry stakeholders.