A Bibliometric Review of fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) in Knowledge Management Research: Intellectual Structures, Evolution, and Emerging Trends

The growing complexity, uncertainty, and interconnectedness of organizational environments have prompted knowledge management research to move beyond traditional linear perspectives toward approaches capable of explaining complex causal relationships and multiple pathways. As a configurational methodology, fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) provides a valuable analytical lens for understanding how combinations of conditions generate organizational outcomes and has increasingly been applied in knowledge management research. However, despite its expanding application, the intellectual foundations, developmental trajectory, and emerging research directions of fsQCA-based knowledge management studies have not yet been systematically examined. This study aims to map the development and evolution of fsQCA applications in knowledge management research and identify its intellectual structure and research trends. Based on 160 publications indexed in the Web of Science database, this study employs bibliometric analysis and science mapping techniques to examine the growth patterns, knowledge structures, and thematic evolution of the field. By synthesizing existing research, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the emergence and advancement of configurational perspectives in knowledge management, offering valuable insights into the methodological transformation of the field and directions for future research.