Management and organizational research in Asia Pacific: insights from a 40th anniversary review of the Asia Pacific Journal of Management

Grasping the evolving landscape of management and organizations in Asia Pacific is vital for addressing the challenges and opportunities they both face in the region and beyond. To do so, we conduct a systematic literature review using a bibliometric analysis of the Asia Pacific Journal of Management (APJM), the leading journal for management and organizational research in Asia Pacific that is celebrating its 40th anniversary. A total of 915 articles published by APJM from 2001 to 2024 were retrieved from the Scopus database and subsequently subjected to a performance analysis of productivity (publications) and impact (citations) alongside a science mapping of knowledge (themes). This study reveals a steady increase in APJM publications and citations, underscoring the journal’s growing influence. The globalization of collaboration networks is a noteworthy trend, highlighting the interconnectedness of research efforts across borders. Major themes include cultural understanding and interpersonal networks, as well as the adaptability of organizations in emerging economies. Areas such as innovation, performance, and corporate governance highlight the importance of growth, competitiveness, and responsible management structures, while research on major Asian markets like China, India, and Thailand underscores the relevance of globalization and multinational strategies. The findings offer future directions in key areas such as emerging economies and institutional environments, relationship networks and social resilience, innovation and digital transformation, managing internationalization, and methodological innovation.