Global trends and emerging themes in digital human resource management in healthcare: A bibliometric analysis

Abstract

This study aims to systematically examine global research on digital human resource management (HRM) in healthcare using bibliometric analysis of 61 documents published between 1988 and 2024. This number reflects the emerging and highly specialized nature of digital HRM in healthcare research. VOSviewer software was utilized to map co-authorship networks and keyword co-occurrences and to generate overlay and density visualizations. A threshold-based approach was applied to identify key themes and research patterns across the literature. There has been significant publication growth, especially after 2018, with the United States, United Kingdom, and India emerging as the leading contributors. Results reveal four thematic clusters representing technological, organizational, demographic, and governance perspectives. These insights illuminate underexplored areas, such as leadership integration and equity, which are essential for guiding digital transformation in healthcare workforce management. Healthcare managers and policymakers should prioritize the strategic integration of digital HRM tools into system-level planning. Emphasis should be placed on aligning digital solutions with organizational leadership, workforce development, and public health goals, particularly in resource-constrained settings.