Bibliometric Analysis on Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Characteristics

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of research focused on the characteristics of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs). The purpose of conducting a bibliometric analysis of CEO characteristics is to systematically evaluate. Using bibliometric techniques, this analysis aims to identify trends, patterns and influential publications in the field, as well as reveal the most cited works, leading authors, and significant research gaps. Such an approach helps provide a quantitative overview of how research on CEO characteristics has evolved and highlights the interconnections between different studies and themes.  To achieve this objective, this study analyzed 280 publications published between 1992 and 2024, obtained from the Scopus database, using bibliometrics, content analysis, and network approach methods. Data was analyzed using VOSviewer, MS Excel and Harzing's Publish or Perish software. The findings reveal a significant increase in research activity in this domain over the past 34 years, peaking in 2023. This surge is mainly due to enhanced channels for scholarly dissemination and con+certed efforts in the academic community, particularly in the United States, China and Malaysia. Ultimately, this bibliometric analysis serves as a tool to deepen understanding of the research landscape on CEO traits, guide future investigations, and foster the development of new theoretical and practical insights.