Mapping the Research Landscape of the Post-Hydrocarbon Transition: Themes, Challenges and Pathways for Sustainable Economic Transformation

Authors

https://doi.org/10.48313/iee.vi.71

Abstract

Countries whose public finances rely heavily on oil and natural gas revenues face growing economic and institutional challenges as the global transition towards renewable energy accelerates. Declining long-term demand for fossil fuels and expanding decarbonization commitments increase pressure to diversify economic structures while preserving fiscal sustainability and social stability. Despite the growing literature on energy transitions, research on hydrocarbon-dependent economies remains fragmented.
This study maps the principal research themes, conceptual relationships, and strategic dimensions associated with the transition of hydrocarbon-dependent economies towards sustainable development. A bibliometric analysis of documents indexed in the Scopus database was conducted using VOSviewer, applying keyword co-occurrence network analysis to identify thematic clusters and reveal the intellectual structure of the field.
The findings highlight interconnected domains, including economic diversification, renewable energy deployment, fiscal sustainability, governance, institutional capacity, technological innovation, human capital development, and sustainable development. The analysis suggests that successful transitions depend on integrated policy approaches combining renewable energy investment, economic restructuring, institutional strengthening, and long-term fiscal planning. It also reveals increasing academic interest in resilience-oriented development models designed to reduce dependence on hydrocarbon rents.
This study provides a systematic framework to support policymakers, researchers, and international organizations in designing effective transition strategies and advancing sustainable economic transformation in resource-dependent contexts.

Keywords:

hydrocarbon-dependent economies; energy transition; economic diversification; fiscal sustainability; renewable energy; sustainable development; bibliometric analysis

Author Biographies

  • Prof. João Rodrigues dos Santos, Universidade Europeia / CETRAD

    João Rodrigues dos Santos is an Associate Professor at the Universidade Europeia (Portugal). At Universidade Europeia, he is the Vertical and Scientific Coordinator in the Economics and Management área. He has a PhD in Economics and Management (Universidad Europea de Madrid), a Master's degree in International Security and Civil Protection Management and a degree in Geography and Territorial Planning (Universidade Nova de Lisboa). As an Integrated Researcher, he is a member of the Center for Transdisciplinary Development Studies at the Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro. He is the author of two books in two of his areas of interest (Economics and Territorial Management) and frequently publishes chapters and articles of an academic, technical and scientific nature. João Rodrigues dos Santos currently collaborates with CNN Portugal, in his own weekly slot, analyzing and commenting on national and international economic news, and with RFM radio (Portugal), where he has a daily program on financial literacy.

  • Prof. António Sacavém, Universidade Europeia / CETRAD

    Assistant Professor at Universidade Europeia and Invited Professor at Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, holding a PhD in Management with over 20 years of experience bridging academia and industry. As a member of both the Pedagogical and Ethics Councils at Universidade Europeia, contributed to upholding academic and ethical standards. Collaboratively engaged in research spanning leadership, management, and digital transformation, focusing on leader-follower dynamics, organizational behavior, and the integration of AI in organizations. Contributions to the academic community include publications in international journals and academic books. As a complement to academic responsibilities (which are the priority), worked closely with organizations such as Delta as a strategic consultant and business advisor, and developing and delivering training programs in leadership, communication, and organizational development for companies including Toyota, NATO, PwC, Fujitsu, Schneider, Textron, Natixis, Outsystems, Bimbo, and Vanpro (Faurecia Group). Taught in the "From Export to Internationalization" Executive Program for C-Level Executives, a partnership between the Portuguese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Católica Business School. Actively involved in teaching and supervising students, regularly offering courses in Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management, and Leadership. Teaching philosophy emphasizes preparing students with the competencies and critical thinking skills needed to navigate contemporary business environments while maintaining a strong dialogue with industry practitioners. Work has been featured in Portuguese media outlets such as CNN (Link: https://tviplayer.iol.pt/programa/novo-dia/619391f80cf2c7ea0f08f951/video/678e0b190cf2f130c299b687).

  • Prof. Andreia de Bem Machado, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina

    Andreia de Bem Machado holds a PhD in Knowledge Engineering and Management and completed postdoctoral studies at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil. She serves as an evaluator for the National Institute for Educational Studies and Research Anísio Teixeira (INEP/MEC, Brazil), as well as an ad hoc reviewer for national and international scientific journals. She also works as an evaluator in the Early Childhood Education segment of the PNLD (National Textbook Program). With more than 25 years of experience in education, she currently serves as Director of Teaching at the Municipal Department of Education of Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Throughout her professional trajectory, she has contributed to projects focused on educational innovation, teacher training, inclusive education, and public educational management. She worked as a consultant for UNESCO in the development of instructional materials for people with low vision and currently acts as a pedagogical consultant for DTIM – Associação Regional para o Desenvolvimento das Tecnologias de Informação na Madeira. She is a member of scientific committees of national and international journals, and her research interests include innovation, public sector innovation, entrepreneurship, smart cities, education, special education, and digital pedagogical models. Her work is guided by the integration of research, innovation, and knowledge dissemination in educational contexts.

  • Prof. Maria Armanda Antunes, Universidade Europeia / CETRAD

    Professor, researcher, HRM Master's and Executive Education Director. Organizational Professional (in management positions, within Human Resources departments, in multinational companies), and experienced manager (more than 20 years) in Human Capital and People Development Programs. My research interests include Human Resources policies and practices, Learning and Development, Ageing, Leadership, Commitment, and the Employee Life Cycle, among others.

  • Prof. Carla Costa, Universidade Europeia / CETRAD


    Carla Gomes da Costa é Diretora Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Tecnologia da Universidade Europeia (Portugal). É Doutorada em Gestão e Desenvolvimento de Recursos 
    Humanos pelo ISCTE-IUL. Mestre em Psicologia Social e Organizacional e Licenciada 
    em Sociologia e em Psicologia. Possui pós-graduações em: Gestão de Recursos 
    Humanos; Gestão e Planeamento da Formação; Coaching Psicológico e especial
    izações em Psicoterapia e de Técnica Superior de Higiene e Segurança no Trabalho. 
    Professora Auxiliar da Universidade Europeia, desde 2021, onde exerceu as funções de 
    Coordenadora Vertical para a Área de Gestão; Coordenadora do Mestrado em Gestão 
    de Recursos Humanos e Coordenadora da Licenciatura em Gestão de Recursos 
    Humanos. É docente universitária desde 1997, tendo colaborado com várias instituições 
    universitárias (ISCTE-IUL; Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics; ISMAT; 
    Instituto Piaget; ISCE; UFP), lecionando unidades curriculares em licenciaturas e 
    mestrados, nas áreas de Gestão, Gestão de Recursos Humanos e Psicologia. Exerceu 
    igualmente funções de gestão académica como Vice-Diretora do mestrado em Gestão 
    de Recursos Humanos e Consultoria Organizacional (ISCTE-IUL) e Diretora da licencia
    tura em Gestão de Recursos Humanos (ISMAT). 

  • Prof. Maria Rodrigues, Universidade Europeia / CETRAD

    Member of the Board of Auditors of Bank of Portugal, since 2023.
    She is Adjunct Professor at Universidade Europeia, since 2012, where she is member of the pedagogical council, coordinator of the online Master’s in Management, of the Degree in global Management, and of the online Postgraduate Studies in Auditing.
    Invited Adjunct Professor at Lisbon Accounting and Business School, ISCAL – IPL, since 2017, where she is the Vice President of the Pedagogic Council, Vice Director on the Audit Master’s degree and founder of the social responsibility project ISCAJUDA since 2020.
    She has completed a mobility for Teaching in the University ISM International School of Management in Germany and been a trainer in the Information Management School | Universidade Nova, in 2023.
    She has a professional career of over 30 years in the financial and auditing areas, 10 of which as the Financial Manager of Wacker Máquinas (1995-2004), and 5 as the chair of Audit Committees of entities from the public sector: Águas do Norte, S.A. (2018-2023) e Águas do Alto Minho, S.A. (2019-2023).
    Holds a PhD in Management from Universidade Europeia (2021); a specialist title in Financial Audit by the Polytechnics of Lisbon, Leiria and Coimbra (2019); an MBA in Management – Planning and Business Strategy from IDIA, UAL – Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa (1999); a Degree in Business Management from Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa (1995) and a bachelor’s degree in accounting and Administration from Lisbon Accounting and Business School, ISCAL – IPL (1992)
    She has published academic articles in international and national journals in the research areas of corporate reporting, sustainability, integrated reporting, audit, assurance, corporate governance, ethics, and higher education. Ambassador of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Portugal Alliance, United Nations Global Compact Network Portugal. SDG 12-Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
    Financial and statutory auditor since 2012. Was a member of the committees from the Portuguese Institute of Statutory Auditors: Audit - Family and Profession, and Ethics and Deontology Commission (2013-2021). Certified accountant since 1992.

Published

2026-07-29

Issue

Articles in Press

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Mapping the Research Landscape of the Post-Hydrocarbon Transition: Themes, Challenges and Pathways for Sustainable Economic Transformation. (2026). Innovations in Environmental Economics . https://doi.org/10.48313/iee.vi.71