Bibliometric analysis of digital financial reporting: a comprehensive review of research trends and emerging topics
Abstract
Digital Financial Reporting (DFR) has gained significant research attention amid the digital transformation. This study comprehensively reviews DFR research, identifies trends, and highlights emerging topics. Key trends include advancements in sustainability reporting and improved financial reporting quality while emerging topics like XBRL and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) reflect evolving research interests. Utilizing bibliometric methods, the study quantitatively analyzes DFR literature from Scopus, Emerald, Google Scholar, OpenAlex, Crossref, and SAGE. The research involved data sourcing, screening, eligibility selection, and bibliometric analysis. Findings show a dynamic increase in annual publications in DFR, with noticeable peaks and shifts in research focus over time. A notable rise post-2016 culminated in a peak in 2023, indicating sustained scholarly interest and field evolution. This study contributed into how digitalization enhances financial reporting quality, addressing gaps from previous bibliometric analyses. It emphasizes systematic trend analysis, identifying research gaps, and exploring factors driving the digital transformation of financial reporting. These insights guide researchers in developing new variables and strategies to advance DFR solutions, enhancing the accuracy, transparency, and accessibility of financial information through digital innovation.
Keyword : accounting technology, artificial intelligence in accounting, bibliometrics, digital financial reporting, financial statement, research trends
How to Cite
Darmawati, D., Mediawati, E., & Dewi, A. R. S. (2025). Bibliometric analysis of digital financial reporting: a comprehensive review of research trends and emerging topics. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 26(1), 49–68. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2025.23054
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
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Kuo, N.-T., & Lee, C.-F. (2023). Social trust and the choices to provide audited financial statements by private firms in emerging markets. The British Accounting Review, 56(2), Article 101268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2023.101268
Li, B., & Xu, Z. (2021). Insights into financial technology (FinTech): A bibliometric and visual study. Financial Innovation, 7(1), Article 69. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40854-021-00285-7
Li, C., Wang, X., & Huang, Y. (2023). Does the CFO serving as the secretary of the board affect the financial statement comparability? – Evidence from China. Heliyon, 9(3), Article e13609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13609
Li, J., Chang, Y., Wang, Y., & Zhu, X. (2023). Tracking down financial statement fraud by analyzing the supplier-customer relationship network. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 178, Article 109118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2023.109118
Liu, T.-K. (2022). Financial innovation, financial patents and business performance: An empirical study on the banking industry in Taiwan. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 12(11), 909–922. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v12i11.4634
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Neves, C., Oliveira, T., Santini, F., & Gutman, L. (2023). Adoption and use of digital financial services: A meta analysis of barriers and facilitators. International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 3(2), Article 100201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2023.100201
Parashar, N., Gupta, S., Sharma, R., & Bandyopadhayay, A. (2023). Factors influencing the usage of mobile payment services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 13(10), 727–737. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v13i10.4854
Pashkevich, N., von Schéele, F., & Haftor, D. M. (2023). Accounting for cognitive time in activity-based costing: A technology for the management of digital economy. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 186, Article 122176. ttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122176
Putsai, U. M., & Mkhize, M. (2021). Factors influencing the extent of corporate compliance with international financial reporting standards in South Africa. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 11(12), 965–984. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.aefr.2021.1112.965.984
Qiu, M., Gu, K., Zhang, Z., & Zhang, J. (2023). Political uncertainty and financial statement readability. Research in International Business and Finance, 66, Article 102068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2023.102068
Rivero, R. A. B., Ramirez, M. A. N., Garcia, I. G. E., & Beltran, A. G. O. (2022). Economic uncertainty and its effects in Bolivia. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 12(9), 781–799. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v12i9.4607
Ştefănescu, C. A., Tiron-Tudor, A., & Moise, E. M. (2020). EU non-financial reporting research – insights, gaps, patterns and future agenda. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 22(1), 257–276. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2020.13479
Tao, Z., Wang, X., Li, J., & Wei, X. (2023). How can digital financial inclusion reduces relative poverty? An empirical analysis based on China household finance survey. Finance Research Letters, 58, Article 104570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2023.104570
Uthaileang, W., & Kiattisin, S. (2023). Developing the capability of digital financial literacy in developing countries: A Case of online loan for small entrepreneurs. Heliyon, 9(12), Article e21961. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21961
Wang, F., Zhang, Z., Ho, L. C. J., & Usman, M. (2023). CFO gender and financial statement comparability. Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, 80, Article 102100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pacfin.2023.102100
Wang, Y., & He, P. (2024). Enterprise digital transformation, financial information disclosure and innovation efficiency. Finance Research Letters, 59, Article 104707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2023.104707
Wu, K., & Lu, Y. (2023). Corporate digital transformation and financialization: Evidence from Chinese listed firms. Finance Research Letters, 57, Article 104229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2023.104229
Wu, S., & Li, Y. (2023). A study on the impact of digital transformation on corporate ESG performance: The mediating role of green innovation. Sustainability, 15(8), Article 6568. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086568
Xi, W., & Wang, Y. (2023). Digital financial inclusion and quality of economic growth. Heliyon, 9(9), Article e19731. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19731
Yadav, M., & Banerji, P. (2023). A bibliometric analysis of digital financial literacy. American Journal of Business, 38(3), 91–111. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJB-11-2022-0186
Yasmin, M., Haliah, Kusumawati, A., & Darmawati. (2024). The effect of brainstorming, auditor ethics, and whistleblowers on audit opinions of government financial reports: The moderating role of management support. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 14(4), 276–294. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v14i4.5019
Zhang, W., Bakhsh, S., Ali, K., & Anas, M. (2024). Fostering environmental sustainability: An analysis of green investment and digital financial inclusion in China using quantile-on-quantile regression and wavelet coherence approach. Gondwana Research, 128, 69–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2023.10.014
Zhang, W., Chen, F., Liu, E., Zhang, Y., & Li, F. (2023). How does digital inclusive finance promote the financial performance of Chinese cultural enterprises? Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, 82, Article 102146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pacfin.2
Adedokun, W. M., Gbadebo, A. D., Adekunle, A. O., & Akande, J. O. (2022). IFRS adoption and accrual-based managed earnings in Nigeria. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 12(12), 1041–1073. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v12i12.4669
Anh, T. C., Thi, N. B., & Tu, O. L. T. (2019). Relationship between experts and enterprises viewed via the IFRS application: An empirical study in Vietnam. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 9(8), 946–963. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.aefr.2019.98.946.963
Aziz, M. R. A., Jali, M. Z., Noor, M. N. M., Sulaiman, S., & Harun, M. S. (2021). Bibliometric Analysis of literatures on digital banking and financial inclusion between 2014–2020. Library Philosophy and Practice (e-Journal), Article 5322.
Begkos, C., Antonopoulou, K., & Ronzani, M. (2023). To datafication and beyond: Digital transformation and accounting technologies in the healthcare sector. The British Accounting Review, 56(4), Article 101259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2023.101259
Bessho, S., & Hirota, H. (2023). Do public account financial statements matter? Evidence from Japanese municipalities. European Journal of Political Economy, 78, Article 102358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2023.102358
Bosi, M. K., Lajuni, N., & Khan, M. N. A. bin A. (2021). Mapping internet financial reporting: A bibliometric review. International Journal of Academic Research in Accounting Finance and Management Sciences, 11(3), 813–827. https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARAFMS/v11-i3/11526
Brika, S. K. M. (2022). A bibliometric analysis of fintech trends and digital finance. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2021.796495
Bui, D. G., Chen, Y., Chen, Y.-S., & Lin, C.-Y. (2023). Managerial ability and financial statement disaggregation decisions. Journal of Empirical Finance, 74, Article 101427. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jempfin.2023.101427
Chao, C., Ziyi, K., & Dongjoo, K. (2023). Does the development of digital economy alleviate environmental problems-empirical evidence from the Yangtze River economic belt. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 13(10), 700–714. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v13i10.4850
Choung, Y., Chatterjee, S., & Pak, T.-Y. (2023). Digital financial literacy and financial well-being. Finance Research Letters, 58, Article 104438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2023.104438
Ciubotariu, M.-S., Socoliuc, M., Grosu, V., Mihaila, S., & Cosmulese, C. G. C. (2021). Modeling the relationship between integrated reporting quality and sustainable business development. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 22(6), 1476–1491. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2021.15601
Darmawati, Mediawati, E., & Rasyid, S. (2024). New trends and directions in local government finance research: A bibliometric analysis. Public and Municipal Finance, 13(1), 137–149. https://doi.org/10.21511/pmf.13(1).2024.11
Fasan, M. (2024). Sustainability reporting from the EU perspective. Revista Catarinense Da Ciência Contábil, 23, Article e3466. https://doi.org/10.16930/2237-766220243466
Gao, X. (2023). Digital transformation in finance and its role in promoting financial transparency. Global Finance Journal, 58, Article 100903. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfj.2023.100903
Gietzmann, M., & Grossetti, F. (2021). Blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies: Where is the accounting? Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, 40(5), Article 106881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccpubpol.2021.106881
Han, H., Shiwakoti, R. K., Jarvis, R., Mordi, C., & Botchie, D. (2023). Accounting and auditing with blockchain technology and artificial Intelligence: A literature review. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 48, Article 100598. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accinf.2022.100598
Hoque, M. A. (2023). Fintech’s game-changing opportunities for SMEs: A study on selected SMEs in Bangladesh. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 13(5), 308–319. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v13i5.4780
Kuo, N.-T., & Lee, C.-F. (2023). Social trust and the choices to provide audited financial statements by private firms in emerging markets. The British Accounting Review, 56(2), Article 101268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2023.101268
Li, B., & Xu, Z. (2021). Insights into financial technology (FinTech): A bibliometric and visual study. Financial Innovation, 7(1), Article 69. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40854-021-00285-7
Li, C., Wang, X., & Huang, Y. (2023). Does the CFO serving as the secretary of the board affect the financial statement comparability? – Evidence from China. Heliyon, 9(3), Article e13609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13609
Li, J., Chang, Y., Wang, Y., & Zhu, X. (2023). Tracking down financial statement fraud by analyzing the supplier-customer relationship network. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 178, Article 109118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2023.109118
Liu, T.-K. (2022). Financial innovation, financial patents and business performance: An empirical study on the banking industry in Taiwan. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 12(11), 909–922. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v12i11.4634
Malinić, D., & Vučković-Milutinović, S. (2024). Accounting for sustainability: The challenge OF aligning SDG metrics at global, national and corporate levels. Ekonomika Preduzeca, 72(1–2), 85–106. https://doi.org/10.5937/EKOPRE2402085M
Neves, C., Oliveira, T., Santini, F., & Gutman, L. (2023). Adoption and use of digital financial services: A meta analysis of barriers and facilitators. International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 3(2), Article 100201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2023.100201
Parashar, N., Gupta, S., Sharma, R., & Bandyopadhayay, A. (2023). Factors influencing the usage of mobile payment services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 13(10), 727–737. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v13i10.4854
Pashkevich, N., von Schéele, F., & Haftor, D. M. (2023). Accounting for cognitive time in activity-based costing: A technology for the management of digital economy. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 186, Article 122176. ttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122176
Putsai, U. M., & Mkhize, M. (2021). Factors influencing the extent of corporate compliance with international financial reporting standards in South Africa. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 11(12), 965–984. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.aefr.2021.1112.965.984
Qiu, M., Gu, K., Zhang, Z., & Zhang, J. (2023). Political uncertainty and financial statement readability. Research in International Business and Finance, 66, Article 102068. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2023.102068
Rivero, R. A. B., Ramirez, M. A. N., Garcia, I. G. E., & Beltran, A. G. O. (2022). Economic uncertainty and its effects in Bolivia. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 12(9), 781–799. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v12i9.4607
Ştefănescu, C. A., Tiron-Tudor, A., & Moise, E. M. (2020). EU non-financial reporting research – insights, gaps, patterns and future agenda. Journal of Business Economics and Management, 22(1), 257–276. https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2020.13479
Tao, Z., Wang, X., Li, J., & Wei, X. (2023). How can digital financial inclusion reduces relative poverty? An empirical analysis based on China household finance survey. Finance Research Letters, 58, Article 104570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2023.104570
Uthaileang, W., & Kiattisin, S. (2023). Developing the capability of digital financial literacy in developing countries: A Case of online loan for small entrepreneurs. Heliyon, 9(12), Article e21961. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21961
Wang, F., Zhang, Z., Ho, L. C. J., & Usman, M. (2023). CFO gender and financial statement comparability. Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, 80, Article 102100. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pacfin.2023.102100
Wang, Y., & He, P. (2024). Enterprise digital transformation, financial information disclosure and innovation efficiency. Finance Research Letters, 59, Article 104707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2023.104707
Wu, K., & Lu, Y. (2023). Corporate digital transformation and financialization: Evidence from Chinese listed firms. Finance Research Letters, 57, Article 104229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2023.104229
Wu, S., & Li, Y. (2023). A study on the impact of digital transformation on corporate ESG performance: The mediating role of green innovation. Sustainability, 15(8), Article 6568. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086568
Xi, W., & Wang, Y. (2023). Digital financial inclusion and quality of economic growth. Heliyon, 9(9), Article e19731. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19731
Yadav, M., & Banerji, P. (2023). A bibliometric analysis of digital financial literacy. American Journal of Business, 38(3), 91–111. https://doi.org/10.1108/AJB-11-2022-0186
Yasmin, M., Haliah, Kusumawati, A., & Darmawati. (2024). The effect of brainstorming, auditor ethics, and whistleblowers on audit opinions of government financial reports: The moderating role of management support. Asian Economic and Financial Review, 14(4), 276–294. https://doi.org/10.55493/5002.v14i4.5019
Zhang, W., Bakhsh, S., Ali, K., & Anas, M. (2024). Fostering environmental sustainability: An analysis of green investment and digital financial inclusion in China using quantile-on-quantile regression and wavelet coherence approach. Gondwana Research, 128, 69–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gr.2023.10.014
Zhang, W., Chen, F., Liu, E., Zhang, Y., & Li, F. (2023). How does digital inclusive finance promote the financial performance of Chinese cultural enterprises? Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, 82, Article 102146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pacfin.2