TRACING THE EVOLUTION OF SEGMENTED LABOR MARKET THEORY: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS FROM 1971 TO 2025

Abstract

This study analyzes the longitudinal development and scientific mapping of Segmented Labor Market Theory (SLMT) from 1971 to 2025 using a bibliometric approach. Introduced by Doeringer and Piore in 1971, this theory has become a foundational framework for explaining persistent labor market inequality, particularly through the division of labor into primary and secondary segments. Despite its origins in the 1970s, no comprehensive bibliometric analysis has been conducted to evaluate the evolution, scope, and interdisciplinary relevance of SLMT. This study utilizes data from Google Scholar and Scopus, processed through Publish or Perish and visualized using VOSviewer, to assess publication trends, citation metrics, and other relevant factors. The results reveal a significant increase in scholarly output, particularly after 2010, with journal articles emerging as the dominant publication type. Citation metrics, especially from Google Scholar, indicate a growing intellectual impact of SLMT across disciplines such as economics, sociology, and labor studies. Network and overlay visualizations illustrate the expansion of research themes, ranging from classical dual labor concepts to emerging topics like informal labor, gender inequality, the gig economy, and digital labor. The density map further identifies core, emerging, and underexplored areas within SLMT research. This study concludes that SLMT remains a relevant and adaptive analytical tool for addressing the complexities of contemporary labor markets, providing a critical foundation for future interdisciplinary inquiry.