25 years of knowledge and information systems: a bibliometric retrospective

Abstract In 2025, Knowledge and Information Systems (KAIS) celebrates its 25th anniversary. To mark this occasion, this study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis covering the period 1999–2024, examining publication and citation patterns, influential authors, institutions, countries, and evolving research themes. Drawing on data from the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection, the analysis integrates classical bibliometric indicators with science mapping techniques, including co-citation, bibliographic coupling, and keyword co-occurrence, supported by VOSviewer and Bibliometrix tools. The findings reveal that KAIS has published 2,385 articles, which have collectively received 54,319 citations, demonstrating sustained global influence. The journal’s intellectual core remains grounded in data mining, classification, clustering, and machine learning, while emerging themes—such as deep learning, graph neural networks, natural language processing, and concept drift—reflect its adaptation to contemporary developments in artificial intelligence. China and the United States lead in both productivity and impact, illustrating the globalization of the KAIS research community. This study offers insights into the evolution of knowledge and information systems as an interdisciplinary field, emphasizing KAIS’s dual role in preserving methodological rigor and promoting innovation. Overall, the journal stands as a benchmark for studying the dynamics of data-driven, intelligent, and responsible knowledge discovery.