Three decades of multilevel governance research

A scientometric and conceptual mapping in the social sciences

Bibliographic Data

ID22204792
AuthorsSajida Sajida (0000-0002-0216-8443, Sebelas Maret University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume12
Pages101745
Publication date2025-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Sciences & Humanities Open (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2590-2911 • E-ISSN: 2590-2911
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.ssaho.2025.101745
OpenAlexW4411979789
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited106

Multilevel governance (MLG) has evolved into a pivotal concept in public administration and political science , particularly in addressing the complexity of cross-jurisdictional policy challenges in an increasingly globalized world. This study conducted a comprehensive scientometric and content analysis of 1358 MLG-related publications indexed in Scopus between 1994 and 2023. Using the Biblioshiny in R Studio, this study mapped the intellectual structure, publication trends, thematic evolution, and conceptual clustering of MLG scholarships. The findings reveal a distinct shift in research trajectories from foundational discussions on Europeanization and institutional design towards contemporary themes such as accountability, climate governance, and pandemic response. A conceptual framework derived from 39 full-text analyses identified several critical dimensions of MLG: vertical distribution of power ; asymmetry of power and responsibility; inter-level coordination; involvement of non-state actors; institutional flexibility; inter-level conflict; learning and policy transfer; role of transnational networks; ambiguity of accountability; local context factors; multiscalarity; policy fragmentation; critique of effectiveness; democratic legitimacy ; interconnectedness of global-local issues. These results offer both a longitudinal mapping of academic discourse and an integrative lens for rethinking the governance architecture in response to global challenges. This study contributes theoretically by advancing the conceptual boundaries of MLG and offering evidence-informed guidance for adaptive, cross-level policy design

Conceptual framework · Corporate governance · Data science · Economics · Management · Multilevel model · Political science · Regional science · Social science · Sociology · Computer Science · Policy Transfer and Learning · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Public Policy and Administration Research

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access