Article: A bibliometric analysis of research on online petitions Journal: International Journal of Electronic Governance (IJEG) 2025 Vol.17 No.4 pp.444 - 468 Abstract: This study seeks to understand the evolution and distribution of online petition-related research. With an increase in online petition activities and participation, there is a need for a clearer understanding of the direction and focus of research in this area. This research was conducted using the bibliometric method to analyse 95 journal papers discovered in Scopus that are related to online petitions. Bibliometric analyses such as citation analysis, thematic evolution, and factorial analysis were performed using the Bibliometrix application. The key findings of this study indicate that the focus of petition research is shifting from technological and social media to participatory and collective aspects. The factorial analysis also uncovered two major clusters: Human and Social Factors and Technological and Country Factors. This study also observed an increase in the number of publications on online petitions, thereby demonstrating the significance of this subject in academic and societal discourse. This finding implies that researchers conducting studies on online petitions should consider both technological and social factors. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: A bibliometric analysis of research on online petitions

Authors: Andries Lionardo; Anang Dwi Santoso; Sajida

Addresses: Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Department of Public Administration, Universitas Sriwijaya, Jl. Raya Palembang – Prabumulih Km. 32 Indralaya, OI, Sumatera Selatan, 30662, Indonesia ' Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Department of Public Administration, Universitas Sriwijaya, Jl. Raya Palembang – Prabumulih Km. 32 Indralaya, OI, Sumatera Selatan, 30662, Indonesia ' Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Department of Public Administration, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Jl. Ir. Sutami No.36A, Kec. Jebres, Kota Surakarta, Jawa Tengah, 57126, Indonesia

Abstract: This study seeks to understand the evolution and distribution of online petition-related research. With an increase in online petition activities and participation, there is a need for a clearer understanding of the direction and focus of research in this area. This research was conducted using the bibliometric method to analyse 95 journal papers discovered in Scopus that are related to online petitions. Bibliometric analyses such as citation analysis, thematic evolution, and factorial analysis were performed using the Bibliometrix application. The key findings of this study indicate that the focus of petition research is shifting from technological and social media to participatory and collective aspects. The factorial analysis also uncovered two major clusters: Human and Social Factors and Technological and Country Factors. This study also observed an increase in the number of publications on online petitions, thereby demonstrating the significance of this subject in academic and societal discourse. This finding implies that researchers conducting studies on online petitions should consider both technological and social factors.

Keywords: online petition; bibliometrics; citation analysis; thematic evolution; factorial analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEG.2025.152645

International Journal of Electronic Governance, 2025 Vol.17 No.4, pp.444 - 468

Received: 29 Mar 2025
Accepted: 02 Nov 2025
Published online: 01 Apr 2026 *

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Title: A bibliometric analysis of research on online petitions

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