# Application of Blockchain Technology in Emergency Management Systems: A Bibliometric Analysis
## 1 Introduction
When integrated into emergency management systems, blockchain technology can help humanitarian organizations, emergency response agencies, and government bodies to improve accountability, streamline resource distribution, and enhance coordination among stakeholders by enabling smart contracts that automatically execute predefined actions as well as by supporting decentralized applications (dApps) that leverage these contracts and other blockchain features to address practical challenges in crisis response [28; 29; 30; 31; 32; 33]. Ultimately, emergency management systems can be made more resilient, efficient, and transparent by leveraging blockchain technology, resulting in stronger overall preparedness and response capabilities[1; 34; 35]. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the application of blockchain technology in emergency management systems. To achieve this, we utilized CiteSpace 6.4.R1 to analyze 248 research articles published between 2017 and 2024 and indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC). This approach enabled a systematic mapping of the knowledge structure, development trends, and key challenges within this rapidly evolving field. The study focuses on the following research questions (RQs):RQ1: Which countries, institutions, and authors collaborate in research on blockchain technology applications in emergency management systems, and what are their contributions to advancing this field? RQ2: What are the main research clusters, hotspots, and evolving trends in the application of blockchain technology within emergency management systems? RQ3: How has blockchain technology transformed emergency management practices, what challenges remain, and what are the prospective frontiers for future research? This study is significant in that it offers unique contributions and innovations to the field of blockchain technology in emergency management systems, which distinguishes it from previous reviews and analyses. The main contributions are as follows:  
First, from a methodological perspective, this study is innovative in its use of a comprehensive bibliometric approach to systematically analyze the research landscape of blockchain technology in emergency management systems. The bibliometric method supported by CiteSpace 6.4.R1 enables visualization and quantification of collaboration networks, co-citation patterns, and keyword trends, providing vivid and intuitive insights into the intellectual landscape of the field. This approach is relatively new for this research area and allows for the capture of critical information that might be overlooked in traditional narrative reviews. Second, from a viewpoint perspective, this study stands out by delivering objective and comprehensive results based on quantitative data from 248 research articles indexed in the WoSCC. The data-driven nature of the analysis minimizes subjective bias and offers an integrated understanding by combining both static (e.g., publication output, leading countries, institutions, authors) and dynamic (e.g., emerging clusters, citation bursts, evolving trends) aspects of the research domain. This comprehensive viewpoint enables readers to grasp both the current state and developmental trajectory of blockchain research in emergency management. Third, from a theoretical and practical perspective, this study constructs a macro-level knowledge framework for the field and identifies future research directions. These contributions collectively offer valuable guidance for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers aiming to accelerate the adoption and integration of blockchain technology in emergency management systems.