A comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the intersection between quality of life, technical efficiency, and the role of local governments in enhancing urban well-being and public sector performance

In this study, a comprehensive and holistic bibliometric analysis is conducted at the intersection of quality of life and the technical efficiency of local governments. A corpus of 96 scientific articles, published between 2010 and the second quarter of 2024, was used as the basis for the analysis. The methods employed rely primarily on bibliometric tools, incorporating network analysis, thematic grouping and mapping, and topic analysis. The analysis aims to offer an integrated overview of scholarly activity in this interdisciplinary field, identify central themes and collaboration patterns, and highlight key research areas and opportunities according to gaps identified in the literature. The rigorous analysis identified seven information clusters, illustrating the network of collaborations among topics related to quality of life and efficiency. Additionally, four research groups were identified through topic analysis, revealing the main thematic areas that have received scholarly attention. Results show a growing scholarly focus on eco-efficiency, decentralized governance, and multidimensional quality of life metrics. The study also identifies key gaps in the literature, including the lack of subjective well-being indicators and limited policy implementation analysis. This analysis emphasizes the importance of evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of local governments, particularly in the context of urban well-being. This study highlights the collaborative efforts undertaken by researchers to address and comprehend the complexity of these intertwined topics. It also reflects the necessity of multidisciplinary approaches to achieve a deeper understanding of both phenomena. The findings provide a framework for future research, grounded in the methods and analytical approach employed in the present study.