Abstract
Introduction: This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of social infrastructure
service delivery research in South Africa, using 69 Scopus-indexed journal articles
published between 1994 and 2024.
Methods: In analysing the bibliometric data, Biblioshiny, VOSviewer, and Microsoft
Excel were used to examine publication trends, prolific authors, and thematic
developments in the field.
Results: The first Scopus-indexed article appeared in 1999, with publication rates
showing modest growth in the first decade (1999–2009), followed by a significant
acceleration, increasing by over 200% between 2010 and 2019. Citation analysis
revealed a consistent impact across publications, with notable peaks in 2010 and
2020. Leading contributors include Akinboade OA, Mokwena MP, and Maramura TC.
Their studies focused on citizen satisfaction, service delivery protests, and public
service reform. Key research themes encompassed water policy and infrastructure,
citizen participation in service delivery, public service innovation, and informal
settlement services. The study identified research gaps in public service inclusion
for disadvantaged groups and citizen roles in infrastructure maintenance.
Discussion: The analysis demonstrates that while research in this field has grown since
South Africa’s post-apartheid transition, certain critical areas remain underexplored.
Despite being limited to Scopus-indexed articles, the study provides valuable
insights into the evolution and current state of social infrastructure service delivery
research in South Africa. The findings clarify the understanding of the literature
landscape and establish a foundation for future research directions.