Analysis global trends, influential contributions, and emerging gaps of psychological capital research over two decades
摘要
This study aims to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of psychological capital (PsyCap) research, identifying leading contributors, major trends, and important gaps. By reviewing key themes and research directions, it offers insights for strengthening organizational behavior research and guiding workplace practices. The study uses the Scopus database to analyze 745 publications on PsyCap from 2006 to August 2025. Performance indicators, co-authorship networks, and keyword analyses were applied to track research growth, highlight the role of authors, institutions, and countries, and outline the structure of the field. Results show a steady rise in PsyCap studies, with the strongest growth after 2013. The United States, China, and India are among the most active contributors, while citation impact is centered in North America and Europe. Three clusters shape the field: PsyCap’s four core resources and their workplace outcomes; personal and job-related resources tied to well-being; and leadership and organizational settings that connect PsyCap to performance and strategy. Gaps remain in cross-cultural comparisons and higher-level analyses beyond the individual. The findings point to ways managers and human resources professionals can strengthen PsyCap through training, leadership practices, and supportive climates, helping improve both employee well-being and organizational resilience. Building PsyCap can support resilience and optimism during uncertainty, improving outcomes for workers, organizations, and society at large. This is the one of the most comprehensive bibliometric reviews of PsyCap research to date. It outlines how the field has developed over two decades and highlights directions for future work by scholars and practitioners.