Exploring the dynamics of personal data protection policies within the sustainable digital ecosystem: A scientometric and systematic literature review perspective

This study explores the dynamics of personal data protection policies within the context of a sustainable digital ecosystem. It seeks to connect the often-separated discussions of digital transformation and sustainability. Employing a hybrid method that integrates scientometric analysis and a systematic literature review (SLR), the research maps intellectual structures, policy narratives, and thematic trends in this emerging field. Data were sourced from the Scopus database covering 2014–2024, and 74 relevant articles were selected following the PRISMA protocol. Analytical tools such as VOSviewer and R-Bibliometrix were used to examine keyword co-occurrence, citation bursts, and author collaboration networks. The findings reveal an increasing global focus on personal data protection, with central themes on digital transformation, data governance, and artificial intelligence. However, the environmental and social dimensions of sustainability are still underexplored. The study identifies a fragmented research landscape lacking integration among ethical, technological, and policy-oriented approaches. It calls for cohesive frameworks aligning personal data governance with human and social sustainability goals and encourages interdisciplinary collaboration to build ethical and resilient digital ecosystems. Limitations include dependence on Scopus data and specific keyword criteria, yet the study provides important insights for academics and policymakers at the intersection of data protection and sustainable digital development.