Drawing a Scientific Map for Social Responsibility Research in the Field of Health using Thematic Cluster Analysis Method

Abstract

Introduction: The traditional health charter, with more emphasis on productivity, has been replaced with a charter that puts environmental and social issues on the agenda of managers in this field. In order to succeed, managers of organizations active in health industry should consider not only the internal environment, but also the social and environmental issues at the heart of all decisions and actions. Scientometrics is a valid tool for evaluating information materials and resources, identifying research areas, and drawing connections between them in a thematic map. Application of this technique to gain a comprehensive insight in the field of social responsibility research in the health area is a new endeavor that provides researchers with a comprehensive understanding about a wide range of published articles and research. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the international scientific products and map them on social responsibility in the field of health.

Methods: This descriptive study followed an interpretive paradigm and was conducted through a systematic review using search terms defined in the Web of Science database. All in-depth research published in the area of ​​social responsibility in the healthcare industry were investigated. Some of these articles were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria and the information needed to fulfill their research goals were scientifically explored using VOS viewer software version 1.6.11, a software in the field of Scientometrics.

Results: After searching, screening, and evaluating studies qualitatively, a final analysis of five papers and an in-depth analysis of the selected articles showed that the majority of research was conducted on social responsibility in the field of health in 2017. In this field, the highest number of research and communication among authors were conducted in the US, UK, and Australia, respectively.

Conclusion: Focusing on the most prolific and least productive countries through Scientometrics can reveal research opportunities and weaknesses of this field. It also can illuminate the horizon for Iranian researchers to conduct novel studies.