Revealing trends: a 25-year bibliometric analysis of MANETs in disaster research publications using the Scopus database

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are crucial for disaster management, enabling communication and coordination when traditional infrastructures are unavailable or compromised. This study provides a bibliometric analysis of global research on MANETs in disaster scenarios, covering publications from 1997 to 2022 sourced from Scopus. From an initial pool of 1,794 articles, 1,745 articles were selected for detailed review and analysis. The analysis examines trends in publication volumes, patterns of co-authorship among countries and institutions, and the co-occurrence of author keywords. The findings reveal a significant increase in MANET disaster-related publications since 2005, with India, the United States, and China leading in contributions and international collaboration. This study highlights the evolving research landscape and identifies critical areas for future investigation. It indicates the need for continued exploration into MANETs' role in disaster scenarios to enhance their practical application and effectiveness.