Article: Economic policy uncertainty and corporate finance: a bibliometric review with a focus on cash holdings and financial stability Journal: International Journal of Business and Globalisation (IJBG) 2026 Vol.42 No.3 pp.27 - 52 Abstract: This study maps the literature on economic policy uncertainty (EPU), macroeconomic uncertainty and corporate finance, with particular attention to the positioning of cash holdings and financial stability. Using a cleaned Scopus corpus of 347 English-language articles and reviews, reduced from an initial 363 records, the study combines performance analysis and science-mapping techniques to examine publication trends, key contributors, collaboration networks, conceptual clusters, intellectual foundations and emerging research fronts. The findings show a rapidly growing but fragmented field, led mainly by China, the USA and several emerging markets. Conceptually, the literature is organised around macro-level uncertainty and firm-level financial decisions, especially investment, capital structure, risk-taking and financial distress. Cash holdings and liquidity buffers appear in the knowledge base but remain underdeveloped as a distinct research theme. The study identifies cash holdings as a promising agenda for future EPU-corporate finance research. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Economic policy uncertainty and corporate finance: a bibliometric review with a focus on cash holdings and financial stability

Authors: Ngo Phu Thanh

Addresses: University of Economics and Law, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, 669 Do Muoi Street, Quarter 13, Linh Xuan Ward, Ho Chi Minh City – 700000, Vietnam

Abstract: This study maps the literature on economic policy uncertainty (EPU), macroeconomic uncertainty and corporate finance, with particular attention to the positioning of cash holdings and financial stability. Using a cleaned Scopus corpus of 347 English-language articles and reviews, reduced from an initial 363 records, the study combines performance analysis and science-mapping techniques to examine publication trends, key contributors, collaboration networks, conceptual clusters, intellectual foundations and emerging research fronts. The findings show a rapidly growing but fragmented field, led mainly by China, the USA and several emerging markets. Conceptually, the literature is organised around macro-level uncertainty and firm-level financial decisions, especially investment, capital structure, risk-taking and financial distress. Cash holdings and liquidity buffers appear in the knowledge base but remain underdeveloped as a distinct research theme. The study identifies cash holdings as a promising agenda for future EPU-corporate finance research.

Keywords: economic policy uncertainty; macroeconomic uncertainty; corporate finance; cash holdings; financial stability; bibliometric analysis; science mapping.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBG.2026.155688

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2026 Vol.42 No.3, pp.27 - 52

Received: 29 Mar 2026
Accepted: 23 May 2026
Published online: 10 Aug 2026 *

Title: Economic policy uncertainty and corporate finance: a bibliometric review with a focus on cash holdings and financial stability

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