A bibliometric analysis of governance mechanisms in dividend decisions: an overview and emerging trends

The paper reviews the fundamental indicators to provide a scientific production analysis of dividend decisions, focusing on corporate governance. The study is divided into three steps to conduct a structured review and a bibliometric analysis. First, the study employs the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses flow methodology and search strategy in the initial stage. Secondly, it uses the Scopus database search results to include the articles written in the English language only. Finally, the study includes performance analysis and employs VOSviewer software for science mapping. The findings indicate that themes addressed in prior research are the theories of dividend, corporate governance and dividend alliance, and the relationship between agency costs and dividend decisions. The findings further reveal that the articles on the relationship between internal corporate governance and dividend policy dominate the literature. In addition, the review shows that most studies examined the alliance of dividend policy with board size, board independence, and board gender diversity. The results give academicians and researchers insight into developing future research agendas.