Twenty-Five Years of Self-Determination Theory Research: A Bibliometric Perspective

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of self-determination theory (SDT) research over 25 years of scholarly work (1998-2023) published in the Scopus database and comprising over 3706 publications. Using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix, this analysis identified the trends in SDT research covering core trending topics, authors, and institutional networks, as well as emerging themes, among others. The study highlights the theory's evolution from a focus on intrinsic motivation to its broader application today, covering both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and extended organisational outcomes such as well-being and engagement. Key findings reveal that with the rise in the digital work environment, there has been a surge in publication post-2018, and attention has diversified in terms of adapting SDT to meet the evolving psychological needs of employees in the contemporary work environment. Additionally, SWOT analysis uncovers SDT's strengths in its foundational emphasis on three basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) and its adaptability across diverse fields. The findings reveal the potential for cross-disciplinary integration between diverse areas in human resource management and organisational behaviour. Nonetheless, the study also reveals key limitations in operationalising SDT in high-pressure work environments and cross-cultural adaptability. As such, the study suggests future directions for research in exploring the theory's role in the digital work setting and its potential in supporting the psychological well-being of employees by addressing the evolving workplace, changing workplace dynamics, and addressing the evolving psychological needs of employees.