Figure 2.
The research process is presented as a vertical sequence. Stage 1 is Systematic Corpus Construction, with Web of Science plus Scopus, keyword search, deduplication, inclusion slash exclusion screening, and full-text review. Its epistemic function is empirical rigour and replicability. Stage 2 is Bibliometric Structuring, with performance metrics, science mapping, co-citation analysis, and thematic clustering. Its epistemic function is structural clarity and intellectual mapping. Stage 3 is Gioia-Based Inductive-Abductive Analysis, with first-order concepts to second-order themes to aggregate dimensions. Its epistemic function is conceptual abstraction and theory-building. Stage 4 is Historical Interpretation and Periodisation, with chronological ordering of aggregate dimensions, and inductive identification of phases and turning points. Its epistemic function is temporal and dynamic explanation. The final output is historical analysis of the literature field, with phases, turning points, and future trajectories.Historical literature review: integrated four-stage framework
Source: Authors’ own work