Blockchain and AI integration in supply chains: a bibliometric and science mapping study of research trends and future directions

Recent literature increasingly emphasizes the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies into supply chain (SC) management. Among these, Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have attracted growing academic and managerial interest, although research remains at an early stage. This study maps the evolution, intellectual structure, and emerging themes of Blockchain and AI research in SCs. It analyzes all relevant Scopus-indexed articles published from the earliest available record through 2024. Bibliometric analysis and science mapping are conducted using VOSviewer and SciMAT. Findings indicate that research was limited and fragmented until early 2022, followed by rapid growth and thematic consolidation between 2022 and 2024. The study contributes by jointly reviewing Blockchain and AI literature in SCs, identifying major thematic clusters, comparing their separate and combined applications, and deriving managerial, operational, and future research implications. It also provides a forward-looking reference for developing planning and control strategies in Blockchain-AI-enabled SCs and practical implementation efforts.