Purpose This study aims to explore the evolution of the resource dependence theory (RDT) and its application in the firm performance since Pfeffer and Salancik’s foundational work, highlighting its growing relevance in academia and business and its link to firm performance, which has been done through theoretical analysis and bibliometric exploration and its correlation with firm performance. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric analysis, incorporating scientific mapping and performance evaluation, was conducted on 174 articles published between 1995 and 2024. The analysis identifies key themes, trends and influential contributions within RDT research. Findings The study reveals an annual growth rate of 11.52% in RDT-related publications, demonstrating rising interest. It identifies significant articles, trending themes like supply chain dependency and emerging topics like strategic alliances or inter-organizational collaboration, etc., providing a comprehensive view of the field. Additionally, the study discusses current research trajectories and potential directions for future work. Originality/value This study systematically organizes the body of literature on RDT and firm performance, offering novel insights into trending research themes, valuable contributions and underexplored areas. It serves as a resource for academics and practitioners seeking to deepen their understanding of RDT.
Anshu et al. (Tue,) studied this question.