Conceptualizing the state of the art of social license to operate: A visualization-based word frequency analysis

Social license to operate (SLO) has emerged as a key concept in understanding the relationships between communities, businesses, and governments, particularly in industries with significant social and environmental impacts. This study conducts a systematic literature review to examine the status quo, trends, and gaps in research into SLO. A systematic process involving a two-phase word frequency analysis and search of research topics helps to identify core research clusters and reduced subjectivity in hotspot detection. The analysis revealed four major thematic areas: SLO measures, Factors affecting SLO, access mechanisms to SLO, and Spatio-temporal dynamic evolution. Findings highlight clear disparities in SLO knowledge production between the Global North and the Global South, with SLO-related research concentrated in developed Western countries represented by Australia, Canada, Netherlands, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Based on the above discussion, this study proposes four directions for future research, and these insights offer a roadmap for advancing the theoretical and practical understanding of SLO across diverse contexts.