Research theme mapping and future directions on corruption and religion: a bibliometric analysis

Corruption harms social and economic structures whilst religion acts as a moral pillar with ethical values to fight it. Unfortunately, the relationship between the two is less explored in the literature. This present study employs a bibliometric analysis approach with data retrieved from the Scopus...

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Main Authors: Salahudin, Iradhad Taqwa Sihidi, Ali Roziqin, Tinuk Dwi Cahyani, Kisman Karinda, Muhammad Firdaus, Tawakkal Baharuddin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Sociology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1502700/full
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author Salahudin
Iradhad Taqwa Sihidi
Ali Roziqin
Tinuk Dwi Cahyani
Kisman Karinda
Muhammad Firdaus
Tawakkal Baharuddin
author_facet Salahudin
Iradhad Taqwa Sihidi
Ali Roziqin
Tinuk Dwi Cahyani
Kisman Karinda
Muhammad Firdaus
Tawakkal Baharuddin
author_sort Salahudin
collection DOAJ
description Corruption harms social and economic structures whilst religion acts as a moral pillar with ethical values to fight it. Unfortunately, the relationship between the two is less explored in the literature. This present study employs a bibliometric analysis approach with data retrieved from the Scopus database. We explore the relationship between corruption and religion through the identification of trends and mapping important topics to reveal potential future research on the topic. The results show a considerable increase in the recent number of publications on the topic despite its limited literature. More importantly, the mapping illustrates that the relationship between corruption and religion has transformed focus from economic, social, and political factors to including religious variables as an important element. In particular, topics like religiosity, religious affiliation, liberation theology, education, and anti-corruption mark shifts in complexity in current discussions. Such a complexity challenges diverse perceptions of religious values and their position in linking political and economic interests. This finding implies that future research needs to adopt a holistic and contextual framework to understand the factual impact of religion on corruption. This attempt potentially expands the current thinking on the role of religion within corruption cases in shaping a more inclusive perspective that bridges anti-corruption practises in society.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Sociology
spelling doaj-art-6323d130508643c4a5e46c315ff1b5702025-08-20T02:55:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sociology2297-77752025-03-011010.3389/fsoc.2025.15027001502700Research theme mapping and future directions on corruption and religion: a bibliometric analysis Salahudin0Iradhad Taqwa Sihidi1Ali Roziqin2Tinuk Dwi Cahyani3Kisman Karinda4Muhammad Firdaus5Tawakkal Baharuddin6Department of Government Studies, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Malang, IndonesiaDepartment of Government Studies, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Malang, IndonesiaDepartment of Government Studies, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Malang, IndonesiaFaculty of Law, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Malang, IndonesiaDepartment of Government Studies, Universitas Muhammadiyah Luwuk, Luwuk, IndonesiaMaster Program of Sociology, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, IndonesiaDepartment of Government Studies, Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Makassar, IndonesiaCorruption harms social and economic structures whilst religion acts as a moral pillar with ethical values to fight it. Unfortunately, the relationship between the two is less explored in the literature. This present study employs a bibliometric analysis approach with data retrieved from the Scopus database. We explore the relationship between corruption and religion through the identification of trends and mapping important topics to reveal potential future research on the topic. The results show a considerable increase in the recent number of publications on the topic despite its limited literature. More importantly, the mapping illustrates that the relationship between corruption and religion has transformed focus from economic, social, and political factors to including religious variables as an important element. In particular, topics like religiosity, religious affiliation, liberation theology, education, and anti-corruption mark shifts in complexity in current discussions. Such a complexity challenges diverse perceptions of religious values and their position in linking political and economic interests. This finding implies that future research needs to adopt a holistic and contextual framework to understand the factual impact of religion on corruption. This attempt potentially expands the current thinking on the role of religion within corruption cases in shaping a more inclusive perspective that bridges anti-corruption practises in society.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1502700/fullanti-corruptioncorruptionreligionreligiosityliberation theology
spellingShingle Salahudin
Iradhad Taqwa Sihidi
Ali Roziqin
Tinuk Dwi Cahyani
Kisman Karinda
Muhammad Firdaus
Tawakkal Baharuddin
Research theme mapping and future directions on corruption and religion: a bibliometric analysis
Frontiers in Sociology
anti-corruption
corruption
religion
religiosity
liberation theology
title Research theme mapping and future directions on corruption and religion: a bibliometric analysis
title_full Research theme mapping and future directions on corruption and religion: a bibliometric analysis
title_fullStr Research theme mapping and future directions on corruption and religion: a bibliometric analysis
title_full_unstemmed Research theme mapping and future directions on corruption and religion: a bibliometric analysis
title_short Research theme mapping and future directions on corruption and religion: a bibliometric analysis
title_sort research theme mapping and future directions on corruption and religion a bibliometric analysis
topic anti-corruption
corruption
religion
religiosity
liberation theology
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsoc.2025.1502700/full
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