RESEARCH TRENDS ON SCARCITY IN ISLAMIC ECONOMICS

A BIBLIOMETRIC STUDY AND SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW FOR THE PERIOD 2015–2025

Abstract

Background: Scarcity ranks among the most foundational concepts in economic thought, yet its meaning is far from settled. Islamic economics offers a contrasting view: rather than treating scarcity as a fixed feature of the human condition, it understands scarcity as a social pathology a consequence of distributional breakdown and morally deviant conduct. Purpose: This study traces the development of scarcity research within Islamic economics across the period 2015 to 2025. Methods: The study combines bibliometric analysis with a systematic literature review (SLR). Following PRISMA procedures, 57 articles were drawn from Scopus, DOAJ, Google Scholar, Dimensions, and SINTA Indonesia; of these, 30 were selected for in depth SLR examination. Results: Publication output rose markedly from 2020 onward, reaching its peak in 2022–2023. Keyword co occurrence analysis reveals five thematic clusters: (1) conceptual normative scarcity, (2) ihtikar and monopoly, (3) distribution and social justice, (4) consumption behaviour and panic buying, and (5) supply chains and geopolitics. Indonesia accounts for the largest share with 39 articles (68.4%), though its international collaboration rate stands at 18% (7 of its 39 articles involve cross border co authorship); across the full corpus of 57 articles, international co authorship accounts for 12%. Conclusions: Three research gaps stand out most urgently: the scarcity of quantitative empirical work, inadequate examination of how hisbah operates within contemporary regulatory settings, and the near absence of systematic cross regional research collaboration.