Discovering FinTech field evolution, international collaboration, thematic map, and future research directions: A bibliometric and content analyses

Abstract Financial technology (FinTech) research has exploded globally over the last few years; therefore, this research aims to respond by conducting a bibliometric analysis. With an adoption of a hybrid approach combining the bibliometric method and content analysis, this study focuses on field evolution, international collaboration, and thematic analyses as well as future research direction forecasting. First, the study found that, between 1999 and 2022, the chronological evolution of FinTech has experienced three phases: initiation (1999–2016), development (2017–2019), and fast-growing (2020-now). Then, knowledge mapping showed three, thirteen and nine research themes for each phase, respectively. Furthermore, the analysis of thematic characteristics of clusters of fast-growing period, forecasted nine topics as future research direction: FinTech, blockchain, financial inclusion, artificial intelligence, innovation, trust, digitalization, regulation, and FinTech Innovation. Finally, the content analysis indicated three potential exploring areas: 1) FinTech research in emerging economies, 2) location- and culture-specific FinTech application and adoption studies, and 3) COVID-19 effects on FinTech from both positive and negative perspectives. Overall, the results theoretically enrich the FinTech literature and have substantial implications for scholars, policymakers and practitioners.