This study aims to explore the evolution of the human resources field in Western academia during the 1970s and 1980s, focusing on the trends in research topics across different decades. The analysis utilizes citation co-citation analysis, multivariate statistical analysis, and social network analysis. The research data were drawn from the Web of Science (WoS) database, comprising 1278 documents. By distinguishing between different time periods, the study identifies shifts in the field across two distinct time frames, visualized through multidimensional scaling maps. The results indicate that the 1970s were dominated by seven major research streams, while the 1980s introduced eight research streams, with “human resources” emerging for the first time as a prominent research frontier. The volume of literature, co-citation frequency, and citation counts all increased over time, reflecting the growing vibrancy and expanding scope of research in the field. Although citation co-citation analysis provides objective quantitative insights, issues such as the purpose of citations, the extent to which cited documents influence citing documents, and the varying layers of citation impact may introduce potential errors in the co-citation analysis results.

Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved, transforming industries and addressing societal challenges across sectors such as healthcare and education. This study provides a state-of-the-art overview of AI research up to 2023 through a bibliometric analysis of the 50 most influential papers, identified using Scopus citation metrics. The selected works, averaging 74 citations each, encompass original research, reviews, and editorials, demonstrating a diversity of impactful contributions. Over 300 contributing authors and significant international collaboration highlight AI’s global and multidisciplinary nature. Our analysis reveals that research is concentrated in core journals, as described by Bradford’s Law, with leading contributions from institutions in the United States, China, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Trends in authorship underscore the growing role of generative AI systems in advancing knowledge dissemination. The findings illustrate AI’s transformative potential in practical applications, such as enabling early disease detection and precision medicine in healthcare and fostering adaptive learning systems and accessibility in education. By examining the dynamics of collaboration, geographic productivity, and institutional influence, this study sheds light on the innovation drivers shaping the AI field. The results emphasize the need for responsible AI development to maximize societal benefits and mitigate risks. This research provides an evidence-based understanding of AI’s progress and sets the stage for future advancements. It aims to inform stakeholders and contribute to the ongoing scientific discourse, offering insights into AI’s impact at a time of unprecedented global interest and investment.

Research on zakat has captured the attention of scholars since 1981, exhibiting an increasing trend in publications and citations. This trend presents an opportunity for the author to delve into zakat research. The primary aim of this study is to dissect 10 years of zakat research, spanning from 2013 to 2022, with a focus on evaluating past achievements, current research patterns, and potential future research directions. Utilising bibliometric analysis as the primary tool, this study has formulated seven research questions derived from the primary objective. Key findings indicate a consistent upward trajectory in both publication and citation rates over the past decade, with 2013 being a pivotal year. Notably, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia emerged as the top three countries actively contributing to zakat research during this period. This study further outlines eight contemporary research trends, exploring various facets of zakat over the past decade. Additionally, this study identifies four prospective areas in zakat for future scholars to explore. This study's outcomes offer three significant contributions: 1) signalling to scholars that zakat research continues to burgeon; 2) providing inspiration and ideas for current scholars; and 3) motivating future scholars to embark on research ventures in untapped areas within the realm of zakat.

The advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed Learning Management Systems (LMSs), enabled personalized adaptation and facilitated distance education. This study employs a bibliometric analysis based on PRISMA-2020 to examine the integration of AI in LMSs from an educational perspective. Despite the rapid progress observed in this field, the literature reveals gaps in the effectiveness and acceptance of virtual assistants in educational contexts. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine research trends on the use of AI in LMSs. The results indicate a quadratic polynomial growth of 99.42%, with the years 2021 and 2015 representing the most significant growth. Thematic references include authors such as Li J and Cavus N, the journal Lecture Notes in Computer Science, and countries such as China and India. The thematic evolution can be observed from topics such as regression analysis to LMS and e-learning. The terms e-learning, ontology, and ant colony optimization are highlighted in the thematic clusters. A temporal analysis reveals that suggestions such as a Cartesian plane and a league table offer a detailed view of the evolution of key terms. This analysis reveals that emerging and growing words such as Learning Style and Learning Management Systems are worthy of further investigation. The development of a future research agenda emerges as a key need to address gaps.

This study aims to explore the research on Chinese higher education policy from 2005 to 2024 through a bibliometric analysis. It is revealed that a continuous growth trend and sustained academic interest in this field. Mainland China leads in publication quantity, showcasing the active involvement of Chinese scholars in higher education policy research. Institutions like Peking University, the University of Hong Kong, and Beijing Normal University play significant roles in this research domain. The focus of research has shifted from student attitudes to international students, teachers, innovation models, changing demands, and urban education development, reflecting a growing emphasis on sustainability and internationalization. The study highlights the positive development trajectory of Chinese higher education policy research, with expanding research focuses and deepening concerns for sustainability and internationalization.