Global trend of talent retention from 1993 to 2023: A bibliometric analysis

Abstract

The past several years have seen a rise in academic research on talent retention (TR). Nevertheless, a comprehensive review of TR research using bibliometric analysis has not been published. TR has evolved tremendously since 1993. This document attempts a description of TR in terms of its status in general, trends, and how research into TR has evolved in various fields around the world in the last 30 years. Data from the Web of Science database was analysed by utilising VOS viewer, bibliometric R-package and Map Chart software to evaluate TR-related publications. We investigated studies into TR from the lens of productivity, partnership, and knowledge structure patterns. The analysis involved several indicators, including research pattern, relevant journals, influential and proactive authors, collaboration networks and authors’ production. Bibliometric analysis of 691 articles revealed that current studies into TR are focused on innovation, mediating role and leadership. As one of the pioneering bibliometric studies on TR, this analysis provides insights to existing scholars, future researchers, and practitioners into TR developments, while suggesting potential areas like innovation, mediating role and leadership for future research advancement.