Big data powers global digital economy shift; China leads in innovation

China dominates this research landscape with 430 of the 752 analyzed documents (57.2%) and a staggering 7140 citations, amounting to nearly 75% of all citations in this domain. This places China ahead of the UK and the USA, which trail significantly behind. The University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences leads institutionally with 132 publications, followed by Shenzhen University and Guizhou University.

Big data applications are redefining the global digital economy, with China emerging as the undisputed frontrunner, according to a new study published in Electronics.

Titled “Reshaping the Digital Economy with Big Data: A Meta-Analysis of Trends and Technological Evolution”, the paper presents a comprehensive bibliometric review of 752 academic documents from 2013 to 2024, tracking the intellectual, structural, and social evolution of big data's role in the global digital economy. Using the Biblioshiny interface and Web of Science dataset, the authors uncover major trends, institutional players, and strategic directions shaping the field over the last twelve years.

How has scientific research on big data in the digital economy evolved since 2013?

The research shows a sharp growth trajectory in scientific interest over the past decade, peaking in 2024 with 181 publications. Between 2019 and 2024, annual publications nearly tripled, from 66 to 181, indicating rapid adoption and academic focus. While the highest annual citation rate was recorded in 2017, citation growth has remained strong and steady, underscoring the sustained impact of key studies.

China dominates this research landscape with 430 of the 752 analyzed documents (57.2%) and a staggering 7140 citations, amounting to nearly 75% of all citations in this domain. This places China ahead of the UK and the USA, which trail significantly behind. The University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences leads institutionally with 132 publications, followed by Shenzhen University and Guizhou University.

The authorship and institutional network maps reveal a tightly-knit web of Chinese academic centers, working both independently and in international partnerships, especially with Israel, Iraq, and Singapore. Influential authors such as Huang Hui and Chen Jianyong have significantly shaped the discourse, with Hui alone contributing 13 publications between 2020 and 2023.

Journals such as Sustainability, PLoS ONE, and the 8th International Conference on Information Technology and Quantitative Management emerge as the most prolific publishing platforms. Notably, PLoS ONE leads in total citations, while Sustainability scores highest in productivity and impact.

What are the major themes and emerging trends in big data research?

The study identifies three dominant conceptual clusters shaping the global discourse on big data within the digital economy:

• Technological Innovation and Analytics – Core terms such as “big data,” “analytics,” “technology,” and “information” dominate the research landscape, particularly in relation to performance and efficiency. This theme is tightly linked to real-world applications in AI, IoT, and real-time data processing.
• Management, Transformation, and Growth – This cluster explores how big data informs managerial decision-making, strategic transformation, and innovation-based competitiveness. Keywords like “growth,” “management,” and “transformation” appear frequently and define the operational dimension of the digital economy.
• Sustainability and Governance – Emerging themes include digital ethics, carbon footprint analysis, data-driven environmental governance, and sustainable development. Recent citations also reflect growing interest in regulatory frameworks such as the EU’s AI Act and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

Thematic evolution analysis outlines a transition from early-stage infrastructure development and data aggregation (1995–2015) toward advanced analytics and AI integration (2016–2020), culminating in data-centric digital business models and ethical governance frameworks post-2020.

The research categorizes themes into "motor," "basic," "niche," and "emerging" via cluster mapping. “Management,” “transformation,” and “analytics” fall into the motor quadrant, indicative of high development and relevance, while “capabilities,” “industry,” and “governance” lie in the emerging/declining quadrant, signaling potential future growth.

What lies ahead: Strategic implications and future directions

Looking ahead to 2025–2030, the study forecasts big data’s deepening role in economic innovation, digital sovereignty, and sustainability. Several indicators point to continued growth:

• China’s Central Role: With unmatched publication volume and institutional backing, China is set to maintain leadership in big data R&D, aided by initiatives like the Belt and Road digital infrastructure collaborations and the International Research Center of Big Data for Sustainable Development Goals.

• Innovation-Driven Transformation: Big data is increasingly the “fuel” for predictive decision-making, product personalization, and platform-based business models. Integration with AI, blockchain, and edge computing will further enhance value creation and operational agility.

• Ethical and Regulatory Oversight: With global frameworks such as the EU’s Digital Services Act and AI Act gaining traction, businesses will need to balance data monetization with transparency, fairness, and accountability. The inclusion of ESG metrics into big data models is expected to intensify.

• Global Collaboration and Interdisciplinarity: Despite China’s dominance, countries like Norway and Brazil exhibit high average citation rates, and inter-country collaboration is growing. Institutions in Romania, Australia, and India are also rising contributors, reflecting a shift toward more geographically diverse research output.

The authors advocate for expanding future research by integrating other databases such as Scopus and Dimensions, enabling a more holistic view of global trends. They also call for more interdisciplinary frameworks that merge ethical, technological, and strategic considerations.