Title: Nobel laureates and new institutional economics: a bibliometric analysis of Douglass North, Ronald Coase, Elinor Ostrom, and Oliver Williamson

Authors: Márcio Mengue Knau; Mikael Jhordan Lacerda Cordeiro; Júlia Gallego Ziero Uhr; Daniel de Abreu Pereira Uhr

Addresses: Universidade Federal de Pelotas – UFPel, Pelotas – RS, 96010-610, Brazil ' Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina – UFSC, Florianópolis – SC, 88040-900, Brazil ' Universidade Federal de Pelotas – UFPel, Pelotas – RS, 96010-610, Brazil ' Universidade Federal de Pelotas – UFPel, Pelotas – RS, 96010-610, Brazil

Abstract: This article proposes a bibliometric analysis of the literature on new institutional economics (NIE). The analysis employed the Web of Science database and the software tools VOSViewer and Sci² from 1956 to 2023. The results revealed that the USA has the highest involvement in NIE literature concerning citations and co-authorship. Moreover, US universities demonstrate significant representation in this field of knowledge, occupying eight out of the top 10 positions among the most relevant institutions in NIE literature. Among the most cited authors, economist Elinor Ostrom stands out, and the most cited publication is 'The Problem of Social Cost' by Ronald Coase. This study elucidates the preeminent academic institutions that serve as benchmarks within the field of NEI research. Additionally, it undertakes the task of mapping representing publications, catering to individuals aspiring to make substantive contributions to cognate topics within this realm in prospective scholarly investigations.

Keywords: new institutional economics; NIE; North; Coase; Ostrom; Williamson; institutions; bibliometric; Nobel laureates; institutionalism; governance; contract; economic theory.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBBM.2025.147617

International Journal of Bibliometrics in Business and Management, 2025 Vol.4 No.1, pp.1 - 17

Received: 22 Feb 2024
Accepted: 21 Oct 2024
Published online: 24 Jul 2025 *