Conceptual Networks and Research Trends in New Economic Sociology: A Bibliometric Exploration

Abstract

This study aims to systematically reveal the intellectual structure, collaboration networks, and thematic orientations of the field by examining the New Economic Sociology (NES) literature indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection database using bibliometric methods. A search conducted on October 19, 2025, using the keyword ‘new economic sociology’ yielded 238 publications covering the period 1987-2025. Analyses reveal that NES, developed under the influence of founding figures such as Granovetter, Swedberg, and Beckert, has evolved into a multi-layered field of research that examines economic action within social networks, institutions, cultural frameworks, and uncertainty dynamics. This study analysed co-authorship, citation networks, country and institutional contributions, keyword formations, bibliographic matches of documents and authors, and common citation structures using VOSviewer. The findings show that NES has a strong theoretical core and that the themes of embeddedness, network relations, and institutional coordination remain dominant. Sustainable Development Goals analyses reveal that the NES intersects meaningfully with goals such as innovation, economic growth, reducing inequalities, and sustainable cities. This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the field and future research directions by making the structural characteristics of the NES literature visible.