Mapping the knowledge base on work–life balance: A bibliometric study

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.7.1.3

Authors

Keywords:

Bibliometric, WLB, Work-Life-Balance, VOS Viewer

Abstract

This study aims to present a comprehensive understanding of the evolving research landscape and diversification in the existing work-life balance (WLB) literature. It offers an in-depth evaluation of WLB studies using bibliometric analysis. The review is built on an examination of 628 papers published between 1985 and 2025, sourced from the Scopus database. The study assesses research significance by examining publication trends, more productive countries, highly cited papers and sources, frequently used co-words, and key study themes from four prominent clusters. The thorough examination of the data using VOSviewer software showed that 73% of the WLB documents were published after 2021, with 221 articles appearing in 2022, 2023, and 2024 alone out of a total of 628 articles. This data suggests that, although the topic has been around since 1985, it has only gained significant momentum in recent years. Geographically, the United States dominates WLB research due to its role in early industrialisation. Since then, the topic has gained traction in other developed nations. However, despite its widespread reception in these nations, there remains a research gap from the perspective of developing nations, which could be addressed through valuable future studies. This research analysis indicates that imminent studies could benefit from more extensive reviews, as they add value to this type of research. There are forty-five research papers with over one hundred global citations, indicating that the WLB topic holds worldwide significance and has substantial consequences for families, employees, and organisations. Most of the highly quoted WLB research focuses on related themes like “WLB practices”, “flexible work arrangements”, and “the gendered aspects of organisational policies”. Furthermore, an investigation of issued documents highlights “emerging study designs and possible gaps. It also offers insights into future research directions and potential areas for further exploration within the field. The study suggests that researchers should focus on pulling together big-picture reviews, digging deeper with more real-world studies in developing countries, and trying approaches that connect the dots across different contexts and compare them side by side. For policymakers and managers, the key takeaway is clear: creating work-life balance policies that truly fit people's diverse realities and local needs isn't just nice to have—it's essential for keeping employees happy and healthy while building organisations that can thrive in the long run.

Dimensions

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Published

2026-01-01

How to Cite

Yusuph, M. L., Kisumbe, L. A., & Nyabakora, W. (2026). Mapping the knowledge base on work–life balance: A bibliometric study. African Journal of Empirical Research, 7(1), 25–39. https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.7.1.3

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2026): Jan-Mar 2026

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Articles
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Copyright (c) 2026 Mashala L. Yusuph, Lazaro A. Kisumbe, Wakara Nyabakora

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