Knowledge Mapping of Vocational Education Employability Skills Research (2004-2024): A Visualized Analysis based on Citespace

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive knowledge mapping of higher vocational education employability skills research conducted from 2004 to 2024. Utilizing Citespace, a powerful bibliometric and visual analysis tool, the research aims to uncover key trends, influential authors, seminal publications, and emerging themes within this field. Data were meticulously collected from Web of Science which is a leading academic database, Ensure a robust analysis framework. Through co-citation and keyword analysis, explore the development trend of research topics in recent years, determine the main areas of research activities, explore the evolution stage of this major and the main trends at this stage, and make preparations for better formulating relevant strategies in the future. This study recognizes the contributions of national authors, journals, countries and institutions in the study of employability skills. This study provides a bibliometric summary of research on employability skills in higher vocational education in recent years. The data was taken from Web of Science database for the period 2004-2024 and data was analyzed using Citespace software. In the study Web of science database downloaded 1499 documents. The researchers found that the concerns searched in the database mainly include employability skills, vocational education, institutional change, vocational training, learning transfer, professional development, cognitive abilities, labor market, and professions. This study informs researchers by providing essential background knowledge about employability skills for visual and quantitative research. Therefore, this approach allows for the observation of research gaps and deeper academic discussions on employability skills in higher vocational education. The study demonstrates the hotspots and trends in the research of employability skills in higher vocational education, which are discussed and summarized in the hope that it can give more inspiration to the researchers behind.