Islamic Banking Adoption: Insights from a Bibliometric Study

Abstract

This article presents a systematic bibliometric analysis of academic literature on Islamic banking adoption from 2012 to 2021. It pursues three main objectives: mapping research trends, identifying the most influential authors, institutions, and countries, and uncovering knowledge gaps to guide future research. The methodology combines a systematic literature review with bibliometric analysis using the Scopus database. VOSviewer software is employed to visualize collaboration networks, thematic clusters, and the temporal evolution of publications, enhancing both analytical rigor and interpretive depth. Findings reveal a significant increase in research output since 2019, particularly from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Iran, reflecting institutional support and socio-cultural alignment with Islamic finance. Key themes include customer satisfaction, service quality, governance, and trust, often studied through behavioural models. However, certain regions such as North Africa remain underrepresented in the literature. The study’s main contribution lies in its comprehensive and methodologically robust mapping of a multifaceted research field. It provides a structured framework to explore less-examined contexts, like Morocco, by integrating technological, institutional, and cultural variables. Nonetheless, relying on a single database (Scopus) may limit the scope and inclusivity of the findings, suggesting the need for complementary analyses using other data sources.