Mapping the Nexus: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Polycrisis Research (2019 – 2026)

Authors

  • Fred Konneh Songa Monson Capital University of Economics and Business image/svg+xml Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59413/ajocs/v7.i3.5

Keywords:

Polycrisis, Artificial intelligence, Global challenges, Climate change, Resilience

Abstract

This study aims to map the intellectual landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in polycrisis research between 2019 and 2026 with the help of bibliometric techniques.  Despite the growing use of the term polycrisis both in scholarly and popular discourse, the research area is fragmented. Polycrisis has recently emerged as a tool to describe the human dilemma, but no systematic mapping of the role played by AI in the framework of polycrisis has been undertaken. This study adopts a bibliometric approach guided by PRISMA 2020, using Biblioshiny in RStudio to analyse data sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection, limited to English articles published between 2019 and April 2026. The findings indicate that there is a rising tendency in the number of publications, especially following the global crises, which suggests that scholars are becoming increasingly interested in applying AI to complex global issues. It can further be seen that the research environment is fragmented with publication outlets scattered, collaboration patterns uneven, and limited integration of thematic areas. The policymakers are encouraged to foster interdisciplinary cooperation, responsible AI frameworks, and strengthen research alliances on the international level.  This paper offers an extensive and synthesised bibliometric mapping unveiling the structural fragmentation, emergent themes, and dynamic developments of AI applications in polycrisis research.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). Bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959–975, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007

Atkinson, L. Z., & Cipriani, A. (2018). How to carry out a literature search for a systematic review: a practical guide. BJPsych advances, 24(2), 74-82, https://doi.org/10.1192/bja.2017.3

Bach, N. H. A., & Hoang, C. C. (2025). Exploring the Evolution of Distribution in E-Commerce: A Bibliometric Analysis. Journal of Distribution Science, 23(1), 79-93, https://doi.org/10.15722/jds.23.01.202501.79

Bales, A. (2025). A polycrisis threat model for AI. AI & Society, 40, 6277–6289. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-025-02371-1

Balogun, E., & Ayuba, Y. (2024). Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Sector and Revenue Generation: The Moderating Role of Accounting Artificial Intelligence System, International Journal of Management, Accounting and Economics, 11(9), 1324-1341, https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.13766746

Barre, M. A., Elmi, A. H., Mohamud, I. H., Warsame, Z. A., & Mohamed, A. A. (2024). AI in the Era of Climate Change: Unveiling Patterns and Trends Through Bibliometric Analysis. International Journal of Sustainable Development & Planning, 19(11), https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsdp.191111

Bernardelli, A. E., & Giudici, P. (2025). AI Risk Management: A Bibliometric Analysis. Risks, 13(7), 131, https://doi.org/10.3390/risks13070131

Chandran, S., & Chandran, R. (2026). Evolution and impact of green finance: A comprehensive bibliometric analysis. Sustainable Futures, 11, 101623, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.101623

Charbonneau, B., & Giguère, A. (2025). The polycrisis and the uncertainty possibility space. Global Sustainability, 8, e4, https://doi.org/10.1017/sus.2025.9

Delannoy, L., Sampieri, J., Jansen, R. E., Jørgensen, P. S., Nyström, M., & Galaz, V. (2025). Artificial Intelligence in the polycrisis: fueling or fighting flames?, https://doi.org/10.31223/X5TJ0C

Guo, P., Li, Q., Guo, H., Li, H., & Yang, L. (2021). A bibliometric and visual analysis of global urban resilience research in 2011–2020: Development and hotspots. Sustainability, 14(1), 229, https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010229

Haddaway, N. R., Page, M. J., Pritchard, C. C., and McGuinness, L. A. (2022). PRISMA2020: An R package and Shiny app for producing PRISMA 2020-compliant flow diagrams, with interactivity for optimised digital transparency and Open Synthesis Campbell Systematic Reviews, 18, e1230. https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1230

Hoeffler, C., Hofmann, S. C., & Mérand, F. (2024). The polycrisis and EU security and defence competences. Journal of European public policy, 31(10), 3224-3248, https://doi.org/10.1080/13501763.2024.2362762

Islam, M. M., Chowdhury, M. A. M., Begum, R. A., & Amir, A. A. (2022). A bibliometric analysis on the research trends of climate change effects on economic vulnerability. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(39), 59300-59315, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-20028-0

Kallon, H. D. S., Li, P., & Shi, W. (2026). Development and application of SWAT-MODFLOW in surface water-groundwater interactions: Current status and future challenges. Environmental Earth Sciences, 85(2), 68, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-025-12810-3

Lewis, J. I., Toney, A., & Shi, X. (2024). Climate change and artificial intelligence: assessing the global research landscape. Discover Artificial Intelligence, 4(1), 64, https://doi.org/10.1007/s44163-024-00170-z

Li, Z., & Yaakop, M. R. (2025). Global governance complex for climate change: a bibliometric analysis. Discover Sustainability, 6(1), 1422, https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-02089-6

Liu, H., & Renn, O. (2025). Polycrisis and Systemic Risk: Assessment, Governance, and Communication: H. Liu et al. International Journal of Disaster Risk Science, 16(4), 526-549, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13753-025-00636-3

Mani, E. K. F., Banguara, F., & Monson, F. K. S. (2025). A bibliometric analysis on prohibition of the use of force in international law (2000-2025). International Social Science Journal. https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:283804575

Monson, F.K.S. (2024) Unveiling the Strategic Resource Dimension: A Bibliometric and Systematic Review of the Resource-Based View and Its Application to Corporate Governance. The Journal of High Technology Management Research, 35, Article 100516. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hitech.2024.100516

Monson, F. K. S., Momodu, A. T., Massaquoi, I., & Saidu, S. E. (2025). A bibliometric analysis of e-commerce platforms on market access of informal enterprises in developing countries (2006-2025). Malaysian E Commerce Journal (MECJ), 9(2), 63-73, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5749922 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5749922

Monson, F. K. S., & Sackey, N. A. (2025). Navigating data protection in the European Union: achievements, challenges, and future directions. International Cybersecurity Law Review, 6(3), 287-307, https://doi.org/10.1365/s43439-025-00157-1

Nezameslami, R., Nezameslami, A., Mehdikhani, B., Mosavi-Jarrahi, A., Shahbazi, A., Rahmani, A., ... & Neamatzadeh, H. (2025). Adapting PRISMA Guidelines to enhance reporting quality in genetic association studies: A framework proposal. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention: APJCP, 26(5), 1641, https://doi.org/10.31557/APJCP.2025.26.5.1641

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., ... and Moher, D. (2021). The PRISMA (2020) statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews, bmj, 372, https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Passas, I. (2024). Bibliometric analysis: the main steps, Encyclopedia 2024, 4(2), 1014-1025; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4020065

Rakowski, J. J., Schaan, L. N., van Klink, R., Herzon, I., Arth, A., Hagedorn, G., ... & Pe'er, G. (2025). Characterizing the global polycrisis: A systematic review of recent literature. Annual Review of Environment and Resources, 50(1), 159-183, https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-environ-111523-102238

Sekaki, Y., Khazzar, A., & Ziane, H. (2025). Artificial Intelligence in Management Studies (2021-2025): A Bibliometric Mapping of Themes, Trends, and Global Contributions. arXiv preprint arXiv:2508.21092, https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2508.21092

Tan, X., Peng, Z., Cheng, Y., Wang, Y., Chao, Q., Huang, X., ... & Chen, D. (2025). Leveraging artificial intelligence for research and action on climate change: opportunities, challenges, and future directions. Science Bulletin, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scib.2025.06.035

Downloads

Published

2026-04-26

How to Cite

Monson, F. K. S. (2026). Mapping the Nexus: A Bibliometric Analysis of the Application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Polycrisis Research (2019 – 2026). African Journal of Commercial Studies, 7(3), 32-42. https://doi.org/10.59413/ajocs/v7.i3.5

Article PlumX Metrics

PlumX Metrics