Role of digital technologies in financial inclusion: a bibliometric analysis

Purpose This study aims to identify the themes in the existing research on the role of digital technologies in financial inclusion. This study also highlights the important journals, authors and countries leading the research on this topic and points towards the directions for future research. Design/methodology/approach The study uses a bibliometric analysis on a dataset of 653 articles in high-impact journals collected from Scopus. Science mapping and network analysis on this data are conducted using the Bibliometrix package in R and the VOS Viewer software. Findings The literature on the role of digital technologies in financial inclusion has grown exponentially in the last few years, especially in the developing countries. Lack of reliable databases on financial inclusion are an impediment to research. Seven important themes in existing research are identified – antecedents of digital financial inclusion (DFI), impact of DFI on macroeconomic outcomes, consumption patterns and sustainability, banks' stability and risk-taking, environmental impacts of financial technologies, improved access to credit for small businesses and economic geography-based critiques of these technologies. Originality/value This is the first bibliometric study on the role of digital technologies in financial inclusion and provides a thematic understanding of existing research clusters. The research gaps on the topic of DFI identified in this study can help drive future academic research.