Synchronization of Technological Innovation and Regulation in Biomass Utilization: A Bibliometric-Systematic Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25299/ijbs.2025.22990Keywords:
Renewable Energy; Energy Policy; Bibliometrics; Systematic Review; Energy Transition.Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to synthesize global trends, key themes, and collaboration patterns in biomass energy studies, particularly those related to public policy and regulation. Particular focus is placed on the role of developing countries in this scientific discourse.
Design/methodology/approach: A Bibliometric-Systematic Literature Review (B-SLR) approach was used, analyzing 308 Scopus-indexed articles published between 2010 and 2025. The process involved metadata refining (using biblioMagika® and OpenRefine) and visual mapping (VOSviewer) to illustrate keyword networks, institutional collaborations, and thematic clustering.
Findings: There has been a significant surge in publications and citations related to biomass and energy policy. Dominant themes include sustainability, bioenergy, and energy governance. However, a fragmentation between technical and policy research, as well as an imbalance in contributions between developed and developing countries, was found.
Limitations and Research implications: This study only used data from one database and, therefore, may have missed relevant publications from other sources. Further studies are needed to measure the effectiveness of biomass policies in local contexts.
Practical Implications: These findings can inform policymakers' design of more inclusive and evidence-based biomass energy regulations and encourage collaboration across countries and disciplines.
Originality/value: This paper contributes original value by combining bibliometric methods and systematic reviews to uncover thematic and spatial gaps in the global biomass literature.
Downloads
References
Abdul Malek, A. B. M., Hasanuzzaman, M., & Rahim, N. A. (2020). Prospects, progress, challenges and policies for clean power generation from biomass resources. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 22(6), 1229–1253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-020-01873-4
Aguilar, F. X., Song, N., & Shifley, S. (2011). Review of consumption trends and public policies promoting woody biomass as an energy feedstock in the U.S. Biomass and Bioenergy, 35(8), 3708–3718. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2011.05.029
Ahmi, A. (2024). Bibliometric Analysis using biblioMagika®. In Bibliometric Analysis usingbiblioMagika®.
Alazi, E., & Ram, A. F. J. (2018). Modulating Transcriptional Regulation of Plant Biomass Degrading Enzyme Networks for Rational Design of Industrial Fungal Strains. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 6, 133. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2018.00133
Araújo, K. (2014). The emerging field of energy transitions: Progress, challenges, and opportunities. Energy Research & Social Science, 1, 112–121. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2014.03.002
Bisht, A. S., & Thakur, N. S. (2019). Small scale biomass gasification plants for electricity generation in India: Resources, installation, technical aspects, sustainability criteria & policy. Renewable Energy Focus, 28, 112–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ref.2018.12.004
Breisinger, C., Keenan, M., & Mbuthia, J. (2023). A Way Forward: Policy-Driven Transformation. https://doi.org/10.2499/9780896294561_19
Bukar, U. A., Sayeed, M. S., Razak, S. F. A., Yogarayan, S., Amodu, O. A., & Mahmood, R. A. R. (2023). A method for analyzing text using VOSviewer. MethodsX, 11, 102339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2023.102339
Clauser, N. M., González, G., Mendieta, C. M., Kruyeniski, J., Area, M. C., & Vallejos, M. E. (2021). Biomass Waste as Sustainable Raw Material for Energy and Fuels. Sustainability, 13(2), 794. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020794
Dana, L.-P., Gurău, C., Hoy, F., Ramadani, V., & Alexander, T. (2021). Success factors and challenges of grassroots innovations: Learning from failure. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 164, 119600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2019.03.009
Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070
Duarte, J., García-Jimenez, E., McMonagle, S., Hansen, A., Gross, B., Szelei, N., & Pinho, A. S. (2023). Research priorities in the field of multilingualism and language education: A cross-national examination. Journal of Multilingual and Multicultural Development, 44(1), 50–64. https://doi.org/10.1080/01434632.2020.1792475
Falcone, P. M. (2023). Sustainable Energy Policies in Developing Countries: A Review of Challenges and Opportunities. Energies, 16(18), 6682. https://doi.org/10.3390/en16186682
Fonseca, L., Rodrigues, C., & Capelleras, J.-L. (2021). The organizational adaptation of universities to smart specialization: The emergence of strategic network interface units. European Planning Studies, 29(8), 1514–1537. https://doi.org/10.1080/09654313.2020.1854188
Freij, Å. (2022). Regulatory change impact on technology and associated mitigation capabilities. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 34(12), 1418–1431. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2021.1963426
Holechek, J. L., Geli, H. M. E., Sawalhah, M. N., & Valdez, R. (2022). A Global Assessment: Can Renewable Energy Replace Fossil Fuels by 2050? Sustainability, 14(8), 4792. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084792
Jain, J., Walia, N., Singh, S., & Jain, E. (2022). Mapping the field of behavioural biases: A literature review using bibliometric analysis. Management Review Quarterly, 72(3), 823–855. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11301-021-00215-y
Kim, S.-Y. (2019). Hybridized industrial ecosystems and the makings of a new developmental infrastructure in East Asia’s green energy sector. Review of International Political Economy, 26(1), 158–182. https://doi.org/10.1080/09692290.2018.1554540
Larsen, M. L. (2022). Driving Global Convergence in Green Financial Policies: China as Policy Pioneer and the EU as Standard Setter. Global Policy, 13(3), 358–370. https://doi.org/10.1111/1758-5899.13105
Lewandowski, I. (2015). Securing a sustainable biomass supply in a growing bioeconomy. Global Food Security, 6, 34–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfs.2015.10.001
Marzi, G., Balzano, M., Caputo, A., & Pellegrini, M. M. (2025). Guidelines for Bibliometric‐Systematic Literature Reviews: 10 steps to combine analysis, synthesis and theory development. International Journal of Management Reviews, 27(1), 81–103. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijmr.12381
McLaren, D., & Markusson, N. (2020). The co-evolution of technological promises, modelling, policies and climate change targets. Nature Climate Change, 10(5), 392–397. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-020-0740-1
Mensah, P., & Yankson, E. (2025). Biomass energy as a catalyst for achieving global sustainability goals: Technological advancements and policy implications. Academia Green Energy, 2(1). doi.org/10.20935/AcadEnergy7556
Milad Mousavian, H., Hamed Shakouri, G., Mashayekhi, A.-N., & Kazemi, A. (2020). Does the short-term boost of renewable energies guarantee their stable long-term growth? Assessment of the dynamics of feed-in tariff policy. Renewable Energy, 159, 1252–1268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2020.06.068
Ndlovu, N. P. (2025). Cross-sectoral coordination in the implementation of agroforestry in Malawi. Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/ffgc.2025.1533326
Owen, M., Der Plas, R. V., & Sepp, S. (2013). Can there be energy policy in Sub-Saharan Africa without biomass? Energy for Sustainable Development, 17(2), 146–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esd.2012.10.005
Perea-Moreno, M.-A., Samerón-Manzano, E., & Perea-Moreno, A.-J. (2019). Biomass as Renewable Energy: Worldwide Research Trends. Sustainability, 11(3), 863. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030863
Rechsteiner, R. (2021). German energy transition (Energiewende) and what politicians can learn for environmental and climate policy. Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 23(2), 305–342. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10098-020-01939-3
Scarlat, N., Dallemand, J.-F., Monforti-Ferrario, F., & Nita, V. (2015). The role of biomass and bioenergy in a future bioeconomy: Policies and facts. Environmental Development, 15, 3–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2015.03.006
Singh, A., Christensen, T., & Panoutsou, C. (2021). Policy review for biomass value chains in the European bioeconomy. Global Transitions, 3, 13–42. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glt.2020.11.003
Singh, R., & Setiawan, A. D. (2013). Biomass energy policies and strategies: Harvesting potential in India and Indonesia. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 22, 332–345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2013.01.043
Singh, V. K., Singh, P., Karmakar, M., Leta, J., & Mayr, P. (2021). The journal coverage of Web of Science, Scopus and Dimensions: A comparative analysis. Scientometrics, 126(6), 5113–5142. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-021-03948-5
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039
Trencher, G. P., Yarime, M., & Kharrazi, A. (2013). Co-creating sustainability: Cross-sector university collaborations for driving sustainable urban transformations. Journal of Cleaner Production, 50, 40–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2012.11.047
Turba, R., Thoré, E. S. J., Bertram, M. G., Bridg, H., Sabet, S. S., Gamboa, M., Ríos-Orjuela, J. C., Takola, E., Capa Salinas, J., Sampaio Franco, A. C., & Marín, C. (2025). Global North-South science inequalities due to language and funding barriers. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14902146.
Woźniak, A., Kuligowski, K., Świerczek, L., & Cenian, A. (2025). Review of Lignocellulosic Biomass Pretreatment Using Physical, Thermal and Chemical Methods for Higher Yields in Bioethanol Production. Sustainability, 17(1), 287. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17010287
Yu, X., & Wang, P. (2021). Economic effects analysis of environmental regulation policy in the process of industrial structure upgrading: Evidence from Chinese provincial panel data. Science of The Total Environment, 753, 142004. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142004

