Two decades of transformation: a bibliometric journey through the evolution and trends in digital payment systems

Purpose In the domain of digital payment systems (DPS), encompassing a broad spectrum of digital payment methods, the relevance of bibliometric methods has surged, aiding researchers and educators in grasping the associated research landscape. This study aims to delineate the bibliometric attributes of digital payment research from 2003 to 2023, uncovering the research context and prevalent topics. It adopts a dual-framework methodology integrating the Zupic and Cater science mapping approach with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) protocol to enhance analytical rigor and procedural transparency. The technology acceptance model (TAM) is used as a theoretical lens to interpret keyword co-occurrences related to user behavior within the bibliometric patterns. Design/methodology/approach A dual-framework approach combining Zupic and Cater’s science mapping protocol with the PRISMA methodology was adopted. Data was retrieved from Scopus using keywords related to digital payments. Bibliometric analysis and visualization were conducted using the Bibliometrix package and its Biblioshiny interface in R software. Findings The analysis covered 871 publications. A marked increase in DPS research began in 2016, peaking in 2023. China, India and the USA led in productivity. TAM-aligned constructs such as trust, perceived usefulness and behavioral intention dominated keyword clusters. Practical implications The study supports future DPS research by identifying key themes, gaps and theoretical alignments, and provides direction for fintech developers and policymakers. Originality/value The study is distinctive for combining bibliometric rigor with behavioral theory, offering a dual-framework, theory-informed review of two decades of DPS research.