Research trends in village financial systems: a bibliometric review using PRISMA

Purpose: to provide a comprehensive bibliometric overview of village financial system research from 2015 to 2025 by examining publication trends, citation patterns, leading contributors, subject areas, and emerging thematic clusters that shape future research directions. Method: this study used a bibliometric approach based on the PRISMA framework. Data were retrieved from the Scopus and Crossref databases for the period 2015–2025. Following screening and eligibility assessment, 29 articles were selected for analysis. Bibliometric techniques were applied to identify publication trends, citation patterns, leading contributors, and dominant research themes in village financial system studies. Findings: a fluctuating publication trend, with a peak in 2020. Research is predominantly published in the fields of Business, Management and Accounting, and Social Sciences. Two major thematic clusters were identified: village fund effectiveness and village financial management. Emerging topics include digitalization, transparency, accountability, and technology-driven governance, indicating future directions for research on village financial systems. Implications: the literature maps the evolution of village financial system research, identifies future research opportunities, and provides evidence-based insights to support effective, transparent, and sustainable village financial governance. Originality: lies in its bibliometric approach to systematically examine the development of village financial system research, identifying key publication trends, thematic clusters, and emerging topics that have not been comprehensively explored in previous studies.