From foundations to frontiers : a 25-year bibliometric journey of job demands-resources theory

Andolšek, Jure (author), Černe, Matej (author), Košak, Maša (author), Lamovšek, Amadeja (author)

This review focuses on overviewing research applying Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) theory. Previous reviews of research fields applying it have focused on its evolution, theoretical advancements and empirical validations over time. However, they have largely overlooked the broader bibliometric landscape, including the complex interconnections and theoretical influences among the extensive studies inspired by this theory. Our study contributes by presenting a comprehensive review of the development and current state of the field. We implemented three bibliometric techniques—co-citation, co-occurrence and bibliographic coupling—to map the intellectual structure and thematic evolution of JD-R research. Additionally, we interpreted the results using the invisible colleges framework, focusing on five distinct time frames (2001–2004, 2005–2009, 2010–2014, 2015–2020 and 2021–2024). This produced an in-depth map of the evolution of the field and its emerging research frontiers. By uncovering the complex connections between studies, our analysis highlights how JD-R theory has integrated diverse theoretical perspectives and shaped the broader discourse on work-related outcomes across contexts and levels of analysis. These findings offer a foundation for future research to build on the theory's strengths and address its unexplored avenues, underpinning its continued relevance and impact.

• Language: English
• Keywords: personnel, employment, decision theory, bibliometric analysis, intellectual evolution, job demands-resources theory, research trends, systematic literature review
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: EF - School of Economics and Business
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2026
• Number of pages: 28 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 99, iss. 1, art. e70079
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-177923
• UDC: 331.108
• ISSN on article: 0963-1798
• DOI: 10.1111/joop.70079
• COBISS.SI-ID: 264523523
• Publication date in RUL: 13.01.2026

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Journal of occupational and organizational psychology
• Shortened title: J. occup. organ. psychol.
• Publisher: Wiley, The British Psychological Society
• ISSN: 0963-1798
• COBISS.SI-ID: 12995170

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: kadri, zaposlovanje, teorija odločitev