A Bibliometric Analysis of Upper Echelon Theory: Mapping Two Decades of Research Evolution and Emerging Trends (2004-2024)

Abstract

This study employs bibliometric analysis to systematically review 2,427 publications related to Upper Echelon Theory (UET) from 2004 to 2024. The research is based on the Web of Science Core Collection database and analyzed through keyword, author, country, citations, publications, universities and journals. The findings reveal a significant increase in UET-related publications over the past two decades, particularly after 2010, signaling growing scholarly interest in the theory. The study highlights a surge in international collaborations, underscoring the global reach of UET research. Notably, U.S. and Chinese researchers have been leading contributors, with key authors such as Donald C. Hambrick and Mariano Heyden shaping the field. Keyword co-occurrence analysis reveals that the top management team, corporate governance, and organizational performance are central topics in UET research. Furthermore, the analysis of findings identifies the emerging research themes, particularly the growing integration of UET with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, green innovation, and sustainability. This study also presents an overview of UET’s intellectual structure, providing insights into emerging trends and offering recommendations for future research directions.