Nonprofits’ role in the delivery of social services: A bibliometric analysis

This study explores the evolving field of nonprofit organisations (NPOs) and their role in delivering social services, focusing on research trends from 1990 up to June 2024. It aims to examine scholarly trends, prevalent topics, and global contributions. Utilising bibliometric techniques – such as keyword co-occurrence and co-authorship network analysis – and the PRISMA framework for screening, we analysed 280 documents retrieved from Scopus. Findings revealed a significant increase in publications on NPOs and social services across various regions. The thematic landscape has evolved from foundational concepts in social service delivery to emerging topics such as advocacy, social capital, governance, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on service provision. The study highlights the importance of international collaboration, interdisciplinary approach, and diverse funding sources in advancing NPO research. Additionally, it underscores the critical need to understand the interplay between NPO advancements and the broader social service ecosystem. This research contributes valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners, emphasising the necessity of adaptive and ongoing research to effectively harness the potential of NPOs while addressing regulatory and operational challenges. This study enriches the academic discourse and informs policy development in the dynamic field of NPOs and social services. Limitations include reliance on Scopus and specific search terms, which may omit relevant studies.