Land Conflict Research in Indonesia within the Global Literature: A Bibliometric Analysis and Future Directions for Resolution

Abstract

Background: Land conflict is a persistent governance and development challenge because land simultaneously functions as an economic asset, a source of livelihood, a basis of socio-cultural identity, and a domain of political authority. In Indonesia, these tensions are intensified by legal pluralism, agrarian inequality, land-use change, extractive and plantation expansion, and institutional fragmentation. Purpose:  This study aims to map the development of scholarly research on land conflict from 2015 to 2024, with Indonesia as the primary interpretative focus, to identify publication trends, thematic clusters, Indonesia’s contribution to the field, and research gaps related to conflict resolution. Design/methodology/approach: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Scopus database. A total of 446 journal articles published between 2015 and 2024 were retrieved and analyzed using VOSviewer to examine publication trends, keyword co-occurrence, thematic clusters, and the geographical distribution of publications. Findings/Result: The findings indicate a generally increasing trend in scholarly publications on land conflict. Dominant research themes include land governance, agrarian reform, Indigenous rights, land grabbing, agribusiness, land registration, and sustainable development. However, operational dimensions of conflict resolution, particularly mediation and conflict management, remain peripheral in the overall keyword network. In the Indonesian context, prominent themes include investment, political dynamics, land registration, palm oil expansion, land use, and conflict resolution. Nevertheless, the direct association between land conflict and mediation remains relatively weak. Conclusion: The findings suggest that future research should move beyond predominantly examining the causes and impacts of land conflict toward greater attention to the evaluation of dispute-resolution institutions, the development of effective mediation frameworks, and data-driven, legally grounded, and rights-based approaches to conflict prevention, particularly in relation to the recognition of Indigenous land rights. Originality/value (State of the art): This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric overview of land conflict research and identifies a significant gap in resolution-oriented scholarship. By positioning Indonesia within the global research landscape, the study provides a foundation for future research and policy development on participatory, institutionally grounded, and rights-based approaches to land conflict management.   Keywords:    bibliometric analysis, conflict resolution, land conflict, VOSviewer, research gaps