A science-mapping analysis of corporate governance and digital transformation through the lens of knowledge management challenges

Purpose The purpose of this study is to map and quantify recent developments in research on corporate governance and digital transformation, by emphasizing the knowledge management challenges. The study provides responses to three research questions: How has scientific production and citation impact evolved in corporate governance and digital transformation? Which authors, journals and countries form the knowledge base and collaboration networks of the field? What themes and emerging topics are shaping future research trajectories and knowledge management challenges? Design/methodology/approach A total of 112 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus were collected covering the period 2018–2025. Following the removal of duplicates and the clarification of the author/institution, a two-stage analysis was performed with Bibliometrix/Biblioshiny 5.0.1. The two stages of the analysis were as follows: (1) citation productivity and performance; (2) scientific mapping (co-citation, bibliographic coupling, co-words and thematic-evolutionary analyses). Findings The findings of the study demonstrated a significant increase in the annual scientific output, with an average growth of 42.6% being observed. A number of high-frequency keywords have been identified, including innovation, ownership, performance, governance and big data within the scope of management studies. Thematic mapping reveals four main themes: (i) environmental, social and governance (ESG)-oriented governance, (ii) digital transformation capabilities, (iii) agency cost reduction and (iv) risk-adjusted performance. A cluster in formation on artificial intelligence-based board analysis shows the highest centrality-density trajectory, signaling an emerging research frontier. Originality/value Overall, the analysis highlights the shifting focus of investors, regulators and managers towards digital disclosure of ESG information. It is suggested that boards which adopt data-driven monitoring and address knowledge management challenges via dynamic capabilities can capture innovation rents. It is incumbent upon researchers to integrate coupling-based methods to track these rapidly evolving topics and upon managers and policymakers worldwide to strategically integrate novel developments.