Research trends in soft skills: a bibliometric analysis

Authors

  • Martha Elizabeth Álvarez Vidal Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, Bolivia y Escuela Superior Politécnica Agropecuaria de Manabí “Manuel Félix López”, Ecuador

Keywords:

Soft skills, bibliometrics, employability, productivity

Abstract

Introduction: This study analyzed research trends around soft skills using a bibliometric approach, in order to identify their evolution, main academic players, and emerging topics over the last two decades. Materials and methods: The research was based on the Scopus database, considering publications between 2000 and 2024. Filters were applied to select articles, reviews, and conference proceedings, excluding duplicates and documents without substantive contributions. Records were processed and analyzed using R software, using the bibliometrix package and its Biblioshiny interface, which allowed for studies of productivity, citation, co-citation, international collaboration, and keyword co-occurrence. Results: The results show sustained growth in scientific production, especially since 2018, reaching 412 publications in 2023. The United States and the United Kingdom lead the production, although recent advances stand out in Brazil, Mexico, and Ecuador. Discussion: The most established axes revolve around employability, leadership, and emotional intelligence, while emerging competencies relate to adaptability, resilience, and digital communication. Conclusions: The conclusions highlight that soft skills have established themselves as a priority field in education, organizational management, and psychology, projecting themselves as a strategic topic for addressing the challenges of digital transformation and the contemporary labor market.

References

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Published

2025-08-24

How to Cite

Álvarez Vidal, M. E. (2025). Research trends in soft skills: a bibliometric analysis. Maestro Y Sociedad, 22(3), 2209–2217. Retrieved from https://maestroysociedad.uo.edu.cu/index.php/MyS/article/view/7119

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 3 (2025)

Section

Artículos

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Copyright (c) 2025 Martha Elizabeth Álvarez Vidal

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