Work after work-unpacking the complexity of moonlighting through a bibliometric and TCCM lens

Purpose This study aims to investigate the evolving phenomenon of employee moonlighting, particularly in the post-pandemic era, with the objective of identifying key research themes, theoretical underpinnings and future directions in the field of human resource management. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 68 peer-reviewed papers sourced from the Scopus database (1975–2025). Tools such as VOSviewer and Biblioshiny were used to map publication trends, co-authorship networks and keyword co-occurrence patterns. Additionally, the theory-context-characteristics-methodology (TCCM) framework was applied to categorise and critically assess the literature. Findings The analysis revealed four distinct research clusters: organisational and institutional dimensions, core conceptual themes, psychological and behavioural aspects and socioeconomic contexts. Theoretical insights were primarily grounded in social exchange theory and the attitudes and alternatives model, explaining moonlighting behaviour through lenses of reciprocity, dissatisfaction and alternative career strategies. The findings also demonstrate the fragmented nature of current research, signalling a need for more integrated and industry-specific studies. Originality/value This paper offers a comprehensive synthesis of literature on moonlighting by combining bibliometric techniques with a structured thematic framework. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to systematically map the intellectual and thematic structure of moonlighting literature using a combined bibliometric and TCCM framework within the HRM context. It provides a unique contribution by mapping intellectual foundations, highlighting underexplored areas and proposing a forward-looking research agenda. The study also offers actionable insights for HR managers to manage moonlighting through proactive policy and engagement strategies.