An analytical review of blood supply chain management literature through science mapping and strategic diagrams

The increasing complexity of healthcare systems and the critical role of blood supply chain (BSC) management in ensuring patient safety have motivated the need for a systematic synthesis of research in this domain. This study reviews the literature and presents a bibliometric and systematic literature review of BSC management studies. This study aimed to investigate the evolution of BSC management over twelve years (2014–2025). One hundred ninety-four published articles were retrieved from the Scopus database based on the inclusion criteria. Using bibliometric techniques, descriptive analysis was conducted to examine publication trends, citations, leading journals, influential authors, and contributing countries. Science mapping and strategic diagram analysis were employed to identify and visualize keyword networks, enabling the recognition of thematic clusters and their evolution. The results highlight five dominant research streams: donor engagement, demand forecasting, inventory and logistics optimization, resilience to disruptions, and the application of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain. The analysis also reveals emerging sustainability and circular economy themes that remain underexplored, pointing to significant research gaps. This study contributes to theory by providing a structured knowledge map of BSC research and advancing understanding of its evolution. It offers practical insights for policymakers, blood banks, and healthcare managers to enhance the resilience, sustainability, and efficiency of BSC operations. • Perform a science mapping analysis on global blood supply chain research from 2014 to 2025. • Discover six thematic areas driving blood supply chain advancements in healthcare. • Track leading journals, top authors, and evolving countries in blood supply chain research. • Reveal future research paths in resilience strategies and digital healthcare innovation. • Provide structured insights to enhance blood supply chain understanding and application.