EMERGING TRENDS IN RESEARCH LINKING MANAGERIAL SKILLS TO PERFORMANCE IN MALAYSIA’S CATTLE INDUSTRY

Abstract

This bibliometric analysis explores the research trends surrounding managerial skills and their impact on cattle industry performance in Malaysia. The cattle sector is a key component of the nation's agricultural sustainability and food security agenda; however, its growth remains constrained by challenges such as limited managerial competencies, inefficient resource allocation, and inconsistent performance outcomes. Despite the sector's strategic importance, scholarly attention to the role of managerial skills in enhancing cattle industry performance, particularly within the Malaysian context, has been relatively limited. This study aims to map the intellectual landscape, identify dominant research themes, and uncover gaps in the existing literature by analyzing publications related to the keywords "managerial skills," "performance," and "cattle industry." Data were retrieved from the Scopus database, covering the period from 2020 to 2025, to capture contemporary academic discourse. The initial search yielded 1699 documents, which were refined to 644 publications after applying inclusion criteria (English language and relevant subject areas). Data cleaning and normalization were performed using OpenRefine, while VOSviewer was employed to conduct co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, citation, and bibliographic coupling analyses. The results indicate a growing trend in publications over the selected period, with key research clusters centred on leadership development, operational efficiency, strategic decision-making, and rural entrepreneurship. However, only a small proportion of studies directly address the Malaysian cattle industry, highlighting a significant research gap. The findings provide a foundational understanding for academics, policymakers, and industry practitioners aiming to enhance cattle sector performance through targeted managerial skill development and strategic intervention.