Blockchain and Circular Economy: Bibliometric Identification of Green Research Areas

Modern technologies are becoming increasingly important for socio-economic development, and one such technology is blockchain. Blockchain technology can play a crucial role in supporting the development of a circular economy. The use of this technology can contribute, among other things, to reducing waste and using resources more efficiently, thereby supporting the achievement of sustainable development goals. The aim of the analysis was to identify green research areas addressed in scientific publications that also referred to blockchain and circular economy issues. This goal was achieved through a bibliometric analysis of data obtained from the Scopus database, using a systematic literature review method. Based on the constructed bibliometric query, 351 scientific publications from 2017 to 2024 were identified, in which both circular economy and blockchain issues were addressed. Through the analysis of authored and indexed keywords, 20 different green research areas were identified and visualized on three bibliometric maps using VOSviewer software. The necessity of continuing research on green topics was emphasized, particularly the importance of further studies on green blockchain in the context of a circular economy. The need to analyze the impact of blockchain technology on the creation of green jobs was also highlighted.