
A Bibliometric Analysis of Fan Token Literature
Chapter from the book:
Alaeddinoğlu,
V.
&
Biricik,
Y.
S.
&
Sivrikaya,
M.
H.
&
Dertli,
Ş.
(eds.)
2025.
Research on Recreation and Sports Management in the Digitalizing World.
Synopsis
This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of academic research published on the rapidly evolving fan token phenomenon. With the increasing influence of crypto assets in the sports and entertainment industries, fan tokens have gained popularity and hold the potential to reshape interactions between fans and clubs. In this context, it is crucial to outline the current state of the literature, identify key trends, and pinpoint potential gaps for future research.
For this study, articles retrieved from the WoS database using keywords such as "fan token," "socios," "chiliz," and "blockchain in sports" were examined. Bibliometric indicators of the selected articles, including publication years, number of authors, citation counts, keyword usage, and publishing journals, were analyzed in detail. Additionally, author networks and co-citation analyses were conducted to identify collaboration patterns and influential works.
The findings indicate that the fan token literature has experienced significant growth in recent years but is still in its nascent stages. Research primarily concentrates on finance, technology management, and sports management, yet there is a clear need for further studies on topics such as fan behavior, legal regulations, and social impacts. This analysis offers valuable insights for researchers and stakeholders working in the fan token domain, aiding them in understanding the existing body of knowledge and guiding future research endeavors.