A bibliometric analysis of governance, risk, and compliance (GRC): trends, themes, and future directions

Abstract This bibliometric analysis systematically evaluates scholarly research on Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) from 2000 to 2025, based on 429 peer-reviewed documents indexed in the Scopus database. Employing bibliometric techniques such as keyword frequency analysis, trend topic evaluation, co-occurrence network mapping, thematic mapping, and thematic evolution, the study identifies dominant themes, emerging trends, and the intellectual structure of GRC research. Key findings highlight a consistent academic focus on corporate governance, risk management, compliance, internal controls, and corporate social responsibility. The study also reveals significant shifts towards sustainability and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain, reflecting the interdisciplinary expansion of GRC in response to global challenges. To consolidate fragmented insights, the study proposes an integrative conceptual framework that synthesizes thematic clusters into a coherent structure, offering guidance for future research directions. Beyond academic contributions, the findings provide practical implications for policymakers, managers, and compliance professionals by underscoring the need for adaptive and comprehensive governance frameworks capable of addressing evolving risks and organizational complexities.