Mapping Internet technology and innovation performance: A bibliometric analysis

This study aims to map the evolving relationship between Internet technology and innovation performance by conducting a comprehensive bibliometric analysis. The study collects and merges data from the Web of Science and Scopus databases, comprising 906 research articles published between 1994 and 2023. Internet technology, defined as digital communication tools and infrastructures (e.g. the Internet, mobile technologies and ICT), has profoundly transformed how organisations innovate. We analyse co-occurrence and co-citation networks to identify key trends, thematic clusters and influential research contributions via the Biblioshiny tool in RStudio. The findings reveal emerging themes such as artificial intelligence, digital transformation and sustainable development, which are reshaping innovation strategies across industries. This analysis displays enduring themes like ICT, innovation performance and China, signalling their sustained relevance. The study also highlights research gaps, particularly in the areas of digital integration in small-scale industries and the impact of Internet technologies on firm performance. Our findings provide a roadmap for future research, guiding scholars and practitioners towards the most pressing areas for further exploration in this rapidly evolving field.