Available via license: CC BY-SA 4.0
Content may be subject to copyright.
231 Policy & Governance Review | September 2024
Adaptive Social Protection: A Systematic Literature
Review and Research Agenda
Abstract
Adaptive social protection represents a novel form of approach that
is more holistic in addressing issues related to disasters associated
with climate change and social shifts. Adaptive social protection has
resurfaced social protection as a new approach to assist an individual or
society to mitigate vulnerability or potential harms related to poverty and
climate change. Despite the necessity for enhanced comprehension of
adaptive social protection approaches, there exists a dearth of scholarly
research on this subject. This study strives to address this gap. Therefore,
the primary objective of this research is to map the gaps in studies related
to the topic of adaptive social protection, thereby enabling us to identify
future research agendas. Through this article, we systematically review
existing studies in social adaptive protection within two decades. 305
articles are categorized and analyzed using the SPAR-4-SLR protocol
by Paul (2021) and employs the VosViewer 16.1.19 to scrutinize and
dissect this topic in a bibliometric approach and map the distribution
on authorship, countries, institutes, and keywords. We found that the
existing publications in adaptive social protection primarily originated
from the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. By synthetically
analyzing the keywords, the dominant hot spot of adaptive social
protection research could be concluded as “adaptive management”,
“climate change”, or “adaptation”.
Keywords:
adaptive social protection; disaster management; climate change;
bibliometric approach
Ita Prihantika
Public Administration Department, Lampung University, Indonesia. (email: itaprihantika@sip.unila.ac.id)
Tia Panca Rahmadhani
Magister of International Relation, Padjajaran University, Indonesia.
Nana Mulyana
Public Administration Department, Lampung University, Indonesia.
Rahmadhani, Tia Panca
is a Junior Researcher and
graduated from the International
Relations Department of
Padjadjaran University in 2024
in Security Studies and Foreign
Policy Analysis. Her latest
research is about Joko Widodo
Foreign Policy. She obtained
the department's best student
for her bachelor's degree. She
was LPDP Awardee PK-190
and started master's degree in
2022. She was born in Metro,
on the 5th of February 1995.
She served at LPPM Sumatera
Institute of Technology and ITERA
International oce for two years.
Policy & Governance Review
ISSN 2580-4820
Vol. 8, Issue 3, pp. 231-248
DOI: https://doi.org/10.30589/pgr.
v8i3.877
Submitted: 6 December 2023, Revised: 9 August 2024, Accepted: 14 August 2024
Introduction
Adaptive social protection
represents a groundbreaking
and comprehensive strategy
designed to address the
complex issues emerging from
climate change and social
transformations (Bowen et al.,
2020). This innovative approach
protection by providing a new
framework to help individuals
Prihantika, Ita born in
June 1984, started her career
as a lecturer at Universitas
Lampung, Department of
Public Administration in 2015.
She completed her bachelor's
degree from the Department
of Criminology, University
of Indonesia (2006) and her
master's degree in Administrative
Sciences, University of Indonesia
(2011). Some of her research
and articles on child protection
policy, disaster management,
and community service are
spread in several journals and
proceedings. Her books include
Pendidikan Tanpa Kekerasan and
Teknik Penulisan Karya Ilmiah.
In addition to being active as a
lecturer, he is also active and is
an expert for the local government
in Lampung Province in research
activities.
232Adaptive Social Protection: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda
and communities mitigate vulnerabilities and potential harms associated
with poverty and climate change. As the latest global landscape,
climate change, ecological upheaval, and increasing disaster, the new
approach sets the new paradigm and discourses for social protection.
The spreading of various natural disasters in the world as the result
of extreme climate change has increased the intensity of crop failures,
(Suranny et al., 2022). The persistent rise in global temperatures, a pivotal
aspect of contemporary climate dynamics, exacerbates the severity of
natural disasters globally. This escalation is remarkably impactful on
vulnerable populations, often amplifying pre-existing socio-economic
and environmental challenges; these are typically groups with limited
resources, inadequate infrastructure, or those living in high-risk areas
(Thalheimer et al., 2022). Due to these conditions, more than 20 million
people worldwide face a food crisis, lack of clean water, and a decent
place to live (FAO, 2016). Consequently, the advent of a novel paradigm
is imperative, one that comprehensively addresses and mitigates the
vulnerabilities manifesting in societal structures owing to the incidence
of disasters disproportionately affecting socially marginalized and less
resilient groups (Daron et al., 2021).
Historically, approaches to addressing environmental issues
have predominantly centered on environmental restoration, often
overlooking the needs and well-being of the communities impacted
by these environmental changes (J. D. Tenzing, 2020). In the context of
environmental degradation, it is not only nature that requires protection,
but also humans who need safeguarding from the consequences of
climate change-induced disasters. This issue gained global attention
when human security became a focal point for the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) in 1994. In 1994, the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) introduced the concept of human
security, emphasizing that security should encompass not only protection
from violence but also the safeguarding of individuals' well-being and
dignity. This broader perspective aimed to address threats beyond
traditional state-centric concerns, including poverty, environmental
degradation, and economic instability (Gasper, 2022).
one-third of the world's vulnerable population in developing countries
(Barrientos, 2017). The core of social protection is to establish the
vulnerable community in lower-income countries (Lowder et al.,
2017). Social protection has traditionally focused on strengthening
economic, human, and social capital to promote economic growth,
proponents of a 'rights-based' agenda emphasize issues of social
justice and marginalization (Gentilini et al., 2011), the principle
Nana Mulyana was born on June
15th, 1971, and currently serves
as a lecturer in the Department
of Public Administration at the
University of Lampung. He received
his bachelor's (1995) and master's
(2002) degrees from Padjadjaran
University. Nana Mulyana Since
2019, Mulyana has concentrated
on research related to disaster
management. His academic
work has contributed to various
national publications, further
strengthening the understanding
of disaster management and its
implementation in Indonesia.
Mulyana’s contributions continue to
impact the development of policies
and practices that aim to mitigate
the eects of disasters and improve
disaster response mechanisms.
233 Policy & Governance Review | September 2024
underpinning social protection is to foster the
transformative potential of eradicating structural
inequality, which constitutes the fundamental
source of poverty (Merrien, 2013). On the other
hand, climate change, which causes disasters, is
expected to disproportionately affect vulnerable
groups, not only in developing countries but also
worldwide, which are vulnerable to shocks and
changes. Therefore, the notion of adaptive social
protection has become a crucial paradigm in the
to the diverse issues caused by rapid societal
transitions (Bowen et al., 2020). By providing
a more dynamic, responsive method to protect
vulnerable populations from the erratic effects of
environmental and societal upheavals, this novel
approach goes beyond conventional paradigms.
As this climate change worsens, social
in addressing climate change-related issues.
The impact of climate change has been felt most
strongly in vulnerable societies (Hallegatte
et al., 2016). Policymakers, scholars, and the
global community are currently collaborating to
devise effective strategies for advancing social
protection within the framework of climate
change. Furthermore, the disasters caused by
climate change are projected to have a more
pronounced impact in the future (Mechler et
al., 2015; Olsson et al., 2014). After this, the
aforementioned circumstance may prove to be
a decisive factor in the effectiveness of previous
programs implemented, leading to a potential
regression in poverty reduction.
Three separate but related domains; social
protection, catastrophe risk reduction, and climate
change adaptation, come together to form the
foundation of adaptive social protection (Nalau
et al., 2021). Adaptive social protection seeks
hazards while also offering immediate relief in
the wake of disasters through the integration of
several domains. This strategy is a big change from
traditional approaches, which frequently work
in silos and are therefore less able to address the
complicated realities of the modern world. The
International Labour Organization propagated a
noteworthy social protection strategy through the
widely recognized slogan "leave no one behind"
(ILO, 2017).
Contemporary concerns, such as the
increased frequency of extreme weather
occurrences, altering economic landscapes,
and growing disparities between rich and
poor, highlight the need for a more varied and
comprehensive approach to social security. In
response, adaptive social protection places a
strong emphasis on adaptability, education, and
foresight. It aims to create mechanisms that are
predictive in addition to reactive to current crises,
empowering communities to more resiliently face
and overcome hardships. Several studies have
been carried out on social protection, there has
been substantial progress in the evolution of social
and humanitarian response focus (Gentilini et al.,
2011), conversely the other prioritizes economic
growth by employing approaches that emphasize
equal rights (Haug et al., 2017).
appeared in 1978, referring to the initiative to
fortify social protection and the need to adapt
existing approaches as part of efforts to protect
against poverty resulting from climate change in
the agricultural sector. (Davies et al., 2008). At its
inception, the term 'adaptive social protection'
was primarily associated with poverty reduction
in agriculture. Notably, much of the groundwork
for this notion originated in the United Kingdom,
particularly through the efforts of Davies, who
proposed incorporating social protection (SP),
disaster risk reduction (DRR), and climate
change adaptation (CCA) to alleviate poverty in
the agricultural sector (Davies et al., 2008, 2009,
2013). In fact, social protection can serve as a
234Adaptive Social Protection: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda
means of adaptation in the context of climate
change-related disasters.
A previous study conducted by Conway
(2011) examines the impact of climate change on
vulnerable developing country agricultural sectors
(Conway et al., 2011). Another study explores the
vulnerability related to climate change, Ribot
argues that discussions on vulnerability should
not solely focus on poverty but also take into
account the role of climate change in contributing
to poverty in certain regions (Ribot, 2014).
On the other hand, Ginson (2006) proposed a
comprehensive approach to integrating social,
economic, and ecological factors into decision-
making processes. This holistic perspective
encourages the consideration of all three factors
equally (Ginson, 2006). In the context of the
impact of climate change on diseases that affect
individuals and occur simultaneously as an
indirect consequence of climate change discussed
by Bradley (1994), Foster (2015), and MacDonald
(2015), climate change induces alterations in
group behavior and triggers the development
expectancy (Bradley et al., 1994; Foster et al.,
2015; MacDonald et al., 2015). While climate
necessitate behavioral and pattern adjustments in
certain economic sectors, its impact is particularly
pronounced and substantial in the agricultural
sector (Truelove et al., 2015), and the tourism
industry. Both sectors have had to adapt to
changing climate conditions, adopt new patterns,
and make similar adjustments (Morrison et al.,
2013).
The review of the database articles reveals
that there has been no extensive study of adaptive
social protection. The review and map of articles
researchers with a deep insight into this approach,
and the gap in the research they have done before.
Consequently, this article will investigate the
following questions:
1. To what extent have studies on adaptive social
protection been undertaken, and how have
they been categorized?
2. To what extent does the current concept of
"adaptive social protection" contribute to
lowering the impact of climate change and
disasters on global society?
This article plays an essential role in
addressing the future positioning of adaptive
social protection research by promoting research
into the evolution of social protection since this
approach still has considerable development
alteration of our perception regarding the
functioning of social protection systems is poised
to disaster management. The incorporation of
additional components, notably climate change,
into the purview of social protection mechanisms
is anticipated to facilitate an expanded perspective
for policymakers.
This comprehensive literature review
examines the application of adaptive social
protection in various academic contexts,
highlighting its extensive practical and theoretical
usage. Recent studies have increasingly
concentrated on the potential of adaptive social
protection to inform policy-makers in formulating
strategies for poverty alleviation and disaster risk
management. This review endeavors to enrich
ongoing dialogues by synthesizing and offering
as well as examining the integration of social
protection policies with those aimed at managing
climate-induced disasters. Moreover, this article
seeks to bridge gaps in previous research on
adaptive social protection and contributes to the
discourse on its future implementation prospects.
The initial section of this article delves into
the background and evolution of the adaptive social
protection approach, offering a comprehensive
review based on diverse literature and comparative
studies. It explores the theoretical underpinnings
235 Policy & Governance Review | September 2024
and historical development of this approach, setting
addressing contemporary challenges. The following
section outlines the methodology for data collection,
detailing the sources of data and the strategies
employed to obtain a comprehensive database for
this research. This part will discuss the techniques
used to gather relevant information, ensuring the
robustness and reliability of the data. Subsequently,
the article will describe the analytical methods used
to interpret the collected data. This section will
provide a detailed explanation of the approaches
and tools used to analyze the data, highlighting how
the analysis contributes to the understanding of
the adaptive social protection framework. Finally,
the concluding section will present the results of
concerning the core topics discussed in each
subsection, providing insights into the effectiveness
and implications of the adaptive social protection
approach as informed by the data.
Methods
The methodology employed in this research
involves a combined approach that integrates
bibliometric analysis with a systematic literature
review. This approach was selected for its ability to
bibliometric tools. In this study, VosViewer 1.6.19
will be utilized as the bibliometric analysis tool to
map and visualize the data. Subsequent in-depth
analysis will be conducted using a systematic
literature review, allowing the author to gain
a deeper understanding of the most relevant
articles related to adaptive social protection. This
dual-method approach ensures a comprehensive
analysis by combining broad quantitative insights
with detailed qualitative evaluations.
Data Source and Search Strategy
Scopus is an expansive, all-encompassing,
repository, housing many articles across diverse
social humanities, multidisciplinary studies,
engineering, and technology. This literature
review strategically opts for Scopus as the primary
data source, driven by its reputation for providing
the most comprehensive and precise publications
on adaptive social protection. The utilization of
metadata retrieval and data mining within the
Scopus platform serves a dual purpose: to ensure
the avoidance of duplicative research on similar
themes and to capitalize on Scopus's robust
indexation and standardization, contributing
to its commendable quality and reputation.
This meticulous approach underscores the
commitment to substantiating the relevance
protection.
For the initial stages of collecting data,
researchers used the initial stage involved inputting
keywords using the Boolean Operator "social
protection” AND "adaptive social protection” AND
"climate change" AND "poverty” on the Scopus
database as it has reliable article credibility.
Moreover, Scopus exhibits extensive coverage
within the research domain under investigation,
disciplines. This comprehensive inclusivity
renders the Scopus database particularly pertinent
for systematically delineating research efforts on
adaptive social protection. It is worth noting that
the indexation criteria upheld by Scopus exhibit
elevated benchmarks for both scholarly journals
and conference articles, thereby fortifying the
overall publication standards. Furthermore, a
salient attribute of Scopus lies in its proclivity to
provide access to cutting-edge information. In
addition to its commendable quality standards,
the articles published in the Scopus database
often manifest a considerable degree of novelty,
subsequently garnering substantial recognition
on a global scale.
236Adaptive Social Protection: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda
Data Analysis
In this article, a bibliometric analysis
approach is employed to delineate and identify
pertinent research pertaining to adaptive social
protection. Given the nascent nature of this
concept, a scholarly examination is imperative
to elucidate its evolution, as evidenced through
research endeavors. Bibliometric analysis allows
researchers to scrutinize vast volumes of data
magnifying glass to delve deep into the wealth of
information, enabling scholars to extract valuable
insights precisely and quickly.
Bibliometric techniques enable the
research through examination of publication
output, keywords, authors, institutions, and
countries of origin (Chen et al., 2016). By applying
a bibliometric analysis, we can achieve substantive
development and progress, addressing academic
lacunae and surmounting scholarly bottlenecks
in this topic. The development of adaptive social
protection traces its roots back to 1978, and with
over 46 years of scholarly inquiry, a profound
understanding of this malady has been attained.
To comprehensively delineate the developmental
history and current research landscape, we
intend to employ Vosviewer software for rigorous
bibliometric analysis. This methodological
approach aims to systematically present research
trends and focal points in a manner that is both
are poised to furnish substantial evidence
crucial for informing the establishment of future
academic guidelines and discerning emergent
trends within the scholarly discourse. To complete
this, Paul et al. (2021) have guided the SPAR-4-SLR
systematic review, which outlines a framework
for inaugural special issues. While the literature
surrounding social protection is experiencing
rapid growth, indicating its importance in the
research sphere, there exists limited publication
on the subject of adaptive social protection. The
SPAR-4 systematic literature review is presented
in this study in Figure 1.
The bibliometric research in this article
in adaptive social protection with large data
volumes from the Scopus database. The use of a
bibliometric approach in this article can build a
strong foundation for getting a general overview
of the concept of adaptive social protection and
can help researchers get an idea of knowledge
gaps and obtain new ideas for research on the
topic of adaptive social protection in the future.
Apart from that, a bibliometric approach can help
determine the position of research contributions
in the future.
social protection and adaptive social protection.
The analysis was carried out using two different
methods: quantitative analysis using the Vosviewer
application, resulting in research mapping data
taken from the Scopus database. Meanwhile, a
qualitative assessment was carried out on the 11
most relevant articles from the previous abstract
screening which were closely related to the
desired topic. Qualitative assessment is based on
assessing the relevance of the content, abstract,
and suitability of the research topic to adaptive
social protection. This analysis uses the guidelines
approach of SPAR-4-SLR (Paul et al., 2021) to
identify articles with the most relevant approach
offered by Paul (2021).
To ensure data is not duplicated, Paul (2021)
conducts a screening of the information obtained
(Paul et al., 2021), The author evaluates the paper
title and abstract to exclude irrelevant literature
due to the focus on social and adaptive protection.
In this process, the author excludes any data
mining results that are not pertinent to the study
at hand. Among other things, screening indicators
were added, leading to the exclusion of 25 articles
due to inconsistency between their abstract and
content with the research topic, 7 articles due
237 Policy & Governance Review | September 2024
to a discrepancy in their research years, and 14
conference papers and 9 book chapters due to a
mismatch in article types. Additionally, 8 articles
written in languages other than English were also
excluded.
The remaining text will be evaluated based
on the author's selected keywords and index
to determine the relevance of the topic being
searched. The limitations of the study are the
choice of years and the choice of relevant topics.
Nevertheless, a limitation of the study is the use
of a limited set of keywords for selection, which
could potentially lead to the exclusion of pertinent
publications from the database. The designated
sample time period spans from 1978 to 2023,
based on early articles that incorporated the social
protection concept. An alternative explanation is
that research absent from the Scopus database,
such as dissertations, theses, and research notes,
might not have been considered for inclusion in
this paper. Consequently, forthcoming studies will
likely utilize a broader range of databases.
Using the Scopus database as a secondary
data source in adaptive social protection research
is underpinned by a deliberate choice. The
rationale behind incorporating meta-data analysis
lies in its capacity to harness summarized data
from articles from databases on the expansive
domain of adaptive social protection. This
analytical approach not only affords researchers
the advantage of working with comprehensive
data summaries but also facilitates the acquisition
of more expansive samples. In the context of this
article, it enables the assembly of samples pertinent
to adaptive social protection, spanning over two
decades of research data and encompassing a
more comprehensive array of countries of origin.
Furthermore, the employment of meta-data
analysis bestows upon this article a heightened
capacity for generalization within adaptive social
protection. This enhanced generalizability is
achieved with an augmented level of research
process's temporal and logistical aspects.
Results and Discussion
delves into the characteristics of the publication
on the distribution of existing publications
across the current year. The second section
Figure 1. Research Methods
Source: Research Methodology, 2023
238Adaptive Social Protection: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda
directs attention toward the highest number of
citations garnered by each contributor, thereby
illustrating the profound impact of individual
the academic sphere. The third section elucidates
the country of origin for each article, facilitating
the mapping of contributions and stylistic
variations in adaptive social protection across
different nations. The fourth section delineates
entities that have contributed most substantially
to publications on adaptive social protection
a thorough assessment of institutions with the
around keywords, maps the conceptual landscape
employed within the given topic. This strategic
analysis aids in comprehending the core concepts
and terminologies shaping the discourse on
adaptive social protection.
Publication Year
In general, research on adaptive social
protection has developed a lot in the last three
decades, starting at least in 1993 and continuing
2023 (Figure 2). Between 1978 and 2023, the
Scopus database published 305 articles on this
topic. Between 1978 and 2010, the number of
social protection consistently remained below
ten. However, this gradually increased and peaked
that scholarly attention on social protection
and adaptive social protection has consistently
grown since 2011. Adaptive social protection
approaches have been formulated in developing
countries by modifying social protection schemes
and approaches in response to climate change
since 2011 (Conway et al., 2011). This analysis
yields a twofold message. On one hand, there is an
increasing recognition that climate change factors
must no longer be ignored in the implementation
of social protection (Béné et al., 2018). The second
study suggests that social protection could serve
as a remedy and an approach to managing climate
change-induced disasters (Celliers et al., 2013;
Kuriakose et al., 2013).
exploration and implementation of adaptive social
protection policies present considerable scope for
development. The article is particularly pertinent
given the increasing prevalence of climate
change-induced disasters affecting vulnerable
populations. Despite ongoing debates regarding
Figure 2. Annual publication related to adaptive social protection in the Scopus
database, published from 1978 to 2023
Source: Scopus Database, 2023.
239 Policy & Governance Review | September 2024
policy opportunity is notable. Furthermore,
the anticipated variability in adaptive social
protection strategies across nations, driven by
distinct climate challenges, cultural factors, and
diverse community needs, offers a platform
for understanding regional differences and the
Authorship
Table 1 displays the top most frequently
cited articles on the topic of social protection
research from the Scopus database. The article
by Conway (2011) has the highest number of
citations (371) and examines the impact of
climate change on vulnerable developing country
agricultural sectors (Conway et al., 2011). The
following study is the analysis of Ribot (2014),
which has been cited 336 times and explores the
lack of vulnerability research. Ribot argues that
discussions on vulnerability should not solely
focus on poverty but also take into account the
role of climate change in contributing to poverty in
this region (Ribot, 2014). Ginson (2006) proposed
a comprehensive approach to integrating social,
economic, and ecological factors into decision-
making processes. This holistic perspective
encourages the consideration of all three factors
equally (Ginson, 2006).
In the context of the impact of climate
change on diseases that affect individuals and
occur simultaneously as an indirect consequence
of climate change discussed by Bradley (1994),
Foster (2015), and MacDonald (2015), climate
change induces alterations in group behavior
Table 1.
Most cited article distribution
Author Cited By Year Title Objection
Declan
Conway
371 2011 • Adaptation to climate change in Africa: Challenges
• The impact of Climate change
in the agricultural sector
Jesse Ribot 336 2014 • Cause and response: vulnerability and climate in
the Anthropocene
• Social protection as the result
of climate change
Robert B.
Ginson
298 2006 • Beyond the pillars: Sustainability assessment as
a framework for effective integration of social,
economic, and ecological considerations in
• Decision making
Robert H.
Bradley, et al.
237 1994 • Early Indications of Resilience and Their Relation
to Experiences in the Home Environments of Low
Birthweight, Premature Children Living in Poverty
• Life expectancy and social
protection
Michaels S. 183 2009 • Matching knowledge brokering strategies to
environmental policy problems and settings
• Aid and public policy decision-
making process
Adger W.N,
et al.
163 2013 • Changing social contracts in climate-change
adaptation
• Policy assessment in the
context of climate change
Truelove H.B,
et al.
127 2015 • A socio-psychological model for analyzing climate
change adaptation: A case study of Sri Lankan
paddy farmers
• Agricultural adaptation
behaviour
Morrison C,
et al.
126 2013 • Perceptions of climate change impacts, adaptation,
and limits to adaptation in the Australian Alps: The
ski-tourism industry and key stakeholders
• Climate change and tourism
industry
Foster N, et al. 125 2015 • The economic burden of TB diagnosis and
treatment in South Africa
• Social protection in certain
illnesses caused by climate
change
Petrasek
MacDonald J,
et al.
125 2015 • Protective factors for mental health and well-being
in a changing climate: Perspectives from Inuit
youth in Nunatsiavut, Labrador
• Climate change and mental
illness
Source: Scopus Database, 2023
Countries/ Territories
240Adaptive Social Protection: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda
that ultimately diminish life expectancy (Bradley
et al., 1994; Foster et al., 2015; MacDonald et
al., 2015). While climate change may result in
and pattern adjustments in certain economic
sectors, its impact is particularly pronounced and
substantial in the agricultural sector (Truelove et
al., 2015), and the tourism industry. Both sectors
have had to adapt to changing climate conditions,
adopt new patterns, and make similar adjustments
(Morrison et al., 2013).
To visualize the distribution of publications
on social protection and adaptive social protection,
we utilized a network analysis based on authors'
network was generated, which included nodes
and links representing author collaboration based
on their respective countries of origin. The top 16
most productive countries for total publication are
shown in Table 2. The most productive academic
contributions were concluded in terms of total
publication. The primarily productive countries
are the USA (89), followed by the United Kingdom
(53), Canada (23), Netherlands (22), Australia
(22), China (18), Germany (13), Sweden (11),
South Africa (8), Italy (8), Switzerland (6), Spain
(6), France (6), Norway (5), Bangladesh (5),
Poland (5), and others (5). Most articles have been
published in these countries.
Table 2.
The top 16 most productive countries/
territories
Country/ Territory Number of Results
United States 89
United Kingdom 53
Canada 23
Netherlands 22
Australia 22
China 18
Germany 13
Sweden 11
South Africa 8
Italy 8
Switzerland 6
Spain 6
France 6
Norway 5
Bangladesh 5
Poland 5
Others 5
Source: Scopus Database, 2023
Figure 3. Country co-citation map related to adaptive social protection in scopus
database, published from 1978 to 2023
Source: Vosviewer, 2023.
241 Policy & Governance Review | September 2024
The countries of the authors in Table 2 were
within the Scopus database. The country with the
greatest number of publications remains the United
States, while the cluster of countries producing the
four highest publication rates are all developed
social protection is an intriguing area of research
in developed nations, eliciting substantial interest
from academic scholars. Only China in Asia features
among the top 16 publications that revolve around
the subject matter. The other region present in the
top 16 publications concerning this theme is South
Africa. The evidence suggests that adaptive social
protection remains less prevalent in developing
countries when compared to developed ones.
However, studies have shown that developing
countries situated along the equatorial belt will
face direct repercussions from rising sea levels and
climate change-related disasters (Dulal et al., 2014;
Nur et al., 2017).
Institutions
Figure 4 highlights institutions that
exhibit productivity and a strong commitment
to addressing pertinent issues in the realms of
social protection and disaster management. The
foremost academic contributions, based on total
publication frequency, depict ten institutions with
the highest number of publications. The leader
was the World Bank from the United States, with
a total of six articles published. Wageningen
University also published six articles, followed
by Stockholm Resilience Centre and Columbia
Universitet, University of California, Svriges
Lantbruksuniversitet, University of Oxford,
Monash University, and University of Guelph
each published four articles. Overall, the majority
universities in Europe and the United States,
indicating a continuous and substantial interest
in the subject within both regions.
Figure 4. The Top 10 institutes with
publication adaptive social protection based
on scopus database, published from 1978 to
2023
Source: Scopus Database, 2023
Besides the provenance of the institution,
the accessibility of research in this area plays a
crucial role in determining the accessibility of
articles on related themes. Upon analysis of the
database, the outcomes indicate that out of a
total of 305 articles, 130 are available via open
access, 93 can be accessed as Green open access,
39 as Gold open access, 33 via Hybrid Gold, and
10 articles via Bronze open access.
Figure 5. Type of publication in adaptive
social protection based on scopus database,
published from 1978 to 2023
Source: Scopus Database, 2023
Keywords
subject (Chen et al., 2016). The research used
VosViewer 16.1.19 for data processing, and
242Adaptive Social Protection: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda
the results are displayed in Figure 5. Technical
used, ensuring clarity. Each keyword node is
interconnected with other concepts, forming
distinct clusters represented in different colours.
Each keyword node is interconnected with other
concepts, forming distinct clusters represented in
different colours. The language used is objective,
value-neutral, and avoids biased phrasing. The
text's structure is logical, with causal relations
between sentences and paragraphs. Furthermore,
the text complies with conventional academic
structures and formal register. Each keyword
node is interconnected with other concepts,
forming distinct clusters represented in different
colours. In this analysis, the concept network map
comprises seven keyword clusters. Keywords
with higher frequency are represented by larger
nodes compared to those in the same or different
clusters. Figure 4, for instance, depicts adaptive
management as the keyword with the highest
researchers in this particular concept. Similarly,
keywords with large nodes include "human",
"climate change", and "adaptive management".
Figure 6. Keyword analysis in adaptive
social protection based on scopus database,
published from 1978 to 2023
Source: VosViewer, 2023
The red cluster indicates that scholars
focused on researching "adaptive management",
in addition to discussing "vulnerability", "disaster
risk reduction", "climate change adaptation",
"climate change", and "social protection". In
contrast, the green cluster centred on the concept
of "human", with scholars discussing it alongside
"social support", "poverty", "child protection",
and "risk reduction". In the yellow cluster, there
is discussion on "resource management", "food
security", and "policy development". The light
blue cluster's articles cover "urban development",
"adaptive reuse", and "food security". The dark
blue cluster's discussion is closely linked to
"environmental protection", "biodiversity",
"ecotourism", and "conservation". Lastly, the
purple cluster concentrates on "environmental
policy", "water resources", and "government
regulation". In the previous orange cluster, there
was a discussion centring on "landscape planning",
"ecosystems", and the "marine environment".
VOSviewer provides visualisation analysis
and emphasises the graphical representation of
bibliometric maps. The tool is particularly valuable
for presenting extensive bibliometric maps in
a comprehensible way (Eck et al., 2010). This
involves conducting a visualisation analysis that
considers the time frame of the research within
colour differences, displaying the novelty timeline
of the analysed keywords. According to the results
of the analysis, the concept of adaptive social
Figure 7. Overlay visualization in adaptive
social protection based on scopus database,
published from 1978 to 2023
Source: VosViewer, 2023
243 Policy & Governance Review | September 2024
protection is labelled as new, illustrated by its light
colour when compared to the "poverty" cluster.
This novelty presents an opportunity for scholars
to conduct further exploration of the theme (Ding
et al., 2022).
An additional analysis conducted was
a density visualisation, which illustrates the
magnitude of the ongoing discussion on the
current theme. Accordingly, the analysis shows
that the term "adaptive management" bears
the strongest density, depicting the continuing
interest in research on the subject. In contrast,
terms such as "poverty," "disaster planning,"
and "climate adaptation" have densities that are
less prominent, corroborating that these topics
do not attract as much interest as "adaptive
management." The recognition that future climate
risks will be exacerbated has stimulated the
academic realm to explore optimal strategies
for climate resilience and disaster management
(Davies et al., 2008; J. Tenzing et al., 2022).
Social protection has grown steadily into a
more complex and multidimensional framework.
However, programs relating to social protection
remain highly fragmented, with limited coverage
of emerging climate and disaster risks. The
progression of social protection approaches
from traditional framework to adjustments of
climate risk component and poverty reduction.
creating keywords in academic publications
cannot be overstated, as they serve as guiding
beacons for research direction, academic topics,
publication frameworks, and core theses.
Incorporating co-occurrence and cluster analysis
proves instrumental in unveiling research
themes and hotspots within adaptive social
protection. This analytical approach not only
aids in comprehending the existing landscape but
also provides valuable insights for researchers
to explore evolving changes and emerging
trends within the discipline. Furthermore,
publications attaining the highest citation rates
emerge as authoritative voices within a given
highly-cited publications becomes paramount,
and facilitates a profound understanding of
bibliometric analysis becomes a powerful tool for
researchers, offering a comprehensive perspective
on the evolving scholarly discourse in adaptive
social protection.
Figure 8. Density visualization in adaptive social protection
based on scopus database, published from 1978 to 2023
Source : VosViewer, 2023
244Adaptive Social Protection: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda
Future Research Direction
In the current context, it becomes imperative to
for the formulation of adaptive social protection
schemes tailored to the unique needs and challenges
of diverse settings. Variances in threat patterns,
geographical nuances, and community demographics
program implementation within a community.
Consequently, a meticulous and comprehensive
investigation is indispensable, considering the
distinctive conditions prevalent in each community.
Therefore, a thorough examination is requisite
before the design of a program, encompassing an
assessment of threat exposure, the sensitivity of
the subjects requiring protection, and the alignment
of program capacity with the prevailing budget
constraints. Subsequent research endeavors should
aim to delineate how social protection schemes
can extend problem assistance to safeguarded
entities with a more multidimensional approach,
thereby facilitating a dynamic and nuanced form of
protection. Such research initiatives contribute to
establishing international standards in designing
and implementing adaptive social protection
programs.
Given the escalating prevalence of diverse
threats, the exigency for sensitivity in the mapping
and adaptation of social protection is pronounced.
Subsequent investigations are imperative to
delineate a social protection model capable of
reactively addressing immediate challenges to
mitigate their prompt impacts. Concurrently,
adaptive social protection must exhibit the
capacity to contend with enduring issues such
as health, livelihoods, poverty, and inequality.
Thus, meticulous mapping is required to discern
how social protection strategies can effectively
integrate short-term issue-oriented responses
and long-term problem-solving mechanisms.
This multidimensional approach is pivotal in
formulating comprehensive and resilient adaptive
social protection systems.
The integration of adaptive social protection
necessitates cross-sectoral collaboration,
delineating roles and responsibilities, and
fostering cooperation among various entities.
In light of this imperative, further research is
warranted to ascertain the impacts of long-term
and short-term programs. A critical inquiry into
each other or represent distinct variables is
essential, particularly for countries concentrating
on poverty alleviation as a primary objective of
social protection. Implementation of adaptive
social protection introduces additional threats
and prompts a re-evaluation of existing threats,
demanding focused research on best practices
concerning institutional features with responsive
governance. This entails not only reactive measures
post-disaster but also proactive measures pre-
disaster, encompassing disaster forecasting, early
warning systems, and preparedness alerts. Such
research endeavors contribute to developing
adaptive social protection strategies in addressing
evolving challenges and enhancing overall societal
resilience.
Beyond institutional considerations,
community preparedness, and potential threats,
studies are pressing to address budgetary aspects
of adaptive social protection. This necessity arises
from the distinct capacities of each country to
allocate budgets for such programs. Given the
unique resource interests and allocations in
each country, there is an imperative to conduct
thorough threat mapping exercises and tailor
adaptive social protection models accordingly.
The validation and design of strategies to
counter threats cannot be undertaken within the
needs of each country. This multidisciplinary
approach is pivotal in developing comprehensive
and adaptable budgeting frameworks for adaptive
245 Policy & Governance Review | September 2024
social protection, ensuring a nuanced and effective
response to diverse challenges faced by different
nations.
Conclusions
The awareness that the long-term
consequences of climate change may result in
severe catastrophes in the future has prompted
the quest for methods that can offer emergency
assistance to communities on both a global
and individual level. Over recent decades, the
literature on adaptive social protection has rapidly
expanded, although few have undertaken to chart
this research using a bibliometric approach.
By attending to the pressing requirements of
those impacted, adaptive social protection can
mitigate the ongoing decline in their well-being
and alleviate the enduring repercussions on
their livelihoods. Furthermore, adaptive social
protection can foster long-term resilience by
allocating resources for productive investments
activities.
Understanding the evolution and future
research direction in analyzing adaptive social
protection and social protection itself is crucial
for researchers, decision-makers, and institutions.
Vosvierwer's review and a systematic literature
review indicate that the research hotspot on this
subject was between 2011 and 2023, and it is
evident from the data presented that research on
adaptive social protection will continue to grow
at a rapid pace. Data from Scopus demonstrates
that authors with high citations, namely Conway
at 371, Ribot at 336, Ginson at 298, Bradley at 237,
offer novel perspectives and broaden the research
on adaptive social protection. Research on adaptive
social protection has primarily originated from the
United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and
the Netherlands. The main areas of interest in
adaptive social protection research are "adaptive
management", "climate change", and "adaptation"
from 1978 to 2023. These areas will continue to be
key issues in adaptive social protection research
insights into the research development process
and analytical trends for those working in public
serve as a solid foundation for further research
and understanding in these areas.
References
Barrientos, A. (2017). Design and rural context
in antipoverty transfers: Implications
for programme outcomes. Global Food
Security, 12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
gfs.2016.09.002
Béné, C., Cornelius, A., & Howland, F. (2018).
Bridging Humanitarian Responses and Long-
Term Development through Transformative
World Bank’s Adaptive Social Protection
Program in the Sahel. Sustainability,
10(6), 1697. https://doi.org/10.3390/
su10061697
Bowen, T., del Ninno, C., Andrews, C., Coll-Black, S.,
Gentilini, U., Johnson, K., Kawasoe, Y., Kryeziu,
A., Maher, B., & Williams, A. (2020). Adaptive
Social Protection: Building Resilience
to Shocks. Adaptive Social Protection:
Building Resilience to Shocks. https://doi.
org/10.1596/978-1-4648-1575-1
Bradley, R. H., Whiteside, L., Mundfrom, D. J., Casey,
P. H., Kelleher, K. J., & Pope, S. K. (1994). Early
Indications of Resilience and Their Relation
to Experiences in the Home Environments of
Low Birthweight, Premature Children Living in
Poverty. Child Development, 65(2). https://doi.
org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.1994.tb00755.x
Celliers, L., Rosendo, S., Coetzee, I., & Daniels,
G. (2013). Pathways of integrated coastal
management from national policy to local
implementation: Enabling climate change
adaptation. Marine Policy, 39(1). https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.marpol.2012.10.005
246Adaptive Social Protection: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda
Chen, D., Liu, Z., Luo, Z., Webber, M., & Chen,
J. (2016). Bibliometric and visualized
analysis of emergy research. Ecological
Engineering, 90. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
ecoleng.2016.01.026
Conway, D., & Schipper, E. L. F. (2011). Adaptation
to climate change in Africa: Challenges and
Global Environmental Change, 21(1). https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2010.07.013
Daron, J., Allen, M., Bailey, M., Ciampi, L., Cornforth,
R., Costella, C., Fournier, N., Graham, R.,
Hall, K., Kane, C., Lele, I., Petty, C., Pinder, N.,
Pirret, J., Stacey, J., & Ticehurst, H. (2021).
Integrating seasonal climate forecasts into
adaptive social protection in the Sahel.
Climate and Development, 13(6). https://
doi.org/10.1080/17565529.2020.1825920
Davies, M., Béné, C., Arnall, A., Tanner, T., Newsham,
A., & Coirolo, C. (2013). Promoting Resilient
Livelihoods through Adaptive Social Protection:
Lessons from 124 programmes in South Asia.
Development Policy Review, 31(1). https://doi.
org/10.1111/j.1467-7679.2013.00600.x
Davies, M., Guenther, B., Leavy, J., Mitchell,
T., & Tanner, T. (2008). “Adaptive social
protection”: Synergies for poverty
reduction. IDS Bulletin, 39(4). https://doi.
org/10.1111/j.1759-5436.2008.tb00483.x
Davies, M., Guenther, B., Leavy, J., Mitchell,
T., & Tanner, T. (2009). Climate Change
Adaptation, Disaster Risk Reduction and
Social Protection: Complementary Roles in
Agriculture and Rural Growth? IDS Working
Papers, 2009(320), 01–37. https://doi.
org/10.1111/j.2040-0209.2009.00320_2.x
Ding, X., & Yang, Z. (2022). Knowledge mapping
of platform research: a visual analysis
using VOSviewer and CiteSpace. Electronic
Commerce Research, 22(3). https://doi.
org/10.1007/s10660-020-09410-7
Dulal, H. B., & Shah, K. U. (2014). “Climate-
smart” social protection: Can it be achieved
without a targeted household approach?
Environmental Development, 10(1). https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.envdev.2014.01.003
Eka Suranny, L., Gravitiani, E., & Rahardjo,
M. (2022). Impact of climate change on
the agriculture sector and its adaptation
strategies. IOP Conference Series: Earth and
Environmental Science, 1016(1). https://doi.
org/10.1088/1755-1315/1016/1/012038
FAO. (2016). Social protection in the Sahel and
West Africa: Strengtheningresilience for food
security and nutrition. https://www.fao.
org/3/I6226e/I6226e.Pdf.
Foster, N., Vassall, A., Cleary, S., Cunnama, L.,
Churchyard, G., & Sinanovic, E. (2015).
The economic burden of TB diagnosis and
treatment in South Africa. Social Science and
Medicine, 130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
socscimed.2015.01.046
Gasper, D. (2022). Rethinking Human
Development and/as Human Security for
the Anthropocene: An Analysis of the United
Nations Development Programme Trilogy of
Reports 2020–2022. International Journal of
Social Quality(United States), 12(2). https://
doi.org/10.3167/IJSQ.2022.120202
Gentilini, U., & Omamo, S. W. (2011). Social
protection 2.0: Exploring issues, evidence
and debates in a globalizing world. Food
Policy, 36(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
foodpol.2011.03.007
Ginson, R. B. (2006). Beyond the pillars:
Sustainability assessment as a framework
for effective integration of social, economic
desicion-making. Journal of Environmental
Assessment Policy and Management,
8(3). https://doi.org/10.1142/
S1464333206002517
Hallegatte, S., Bangalore, M., Bonzanigo, L., Fay, M.,
Kane, T., Narloch, U., Rozenberg, J., Treguer,
D., & Vogt-Schilb, A. (2016). SHOCK WAVES
Climate Change and Development Series
247 Policy & Governance Review | September 2024
Managing the Impacts of Climate Change on
Poverty. World Bank Group.
Haug, R., & Wold, B. K. G. (2017). Social protection
or humanitarian assistance: Contested
input subsidies and climate adaptation in
Malawi. IDS Bulletin, 48(4). https://doi.
org/10.19088/1968-2017.155
International Labour Organization. (2017).
World Social Protection Report 2017–19.
Universal social protection to achieve the
Sustainable Development Goals. In World
Social Protection Report 2017-19.
Kuriakose, A. T., Heltberg, R., Wiseman, W., Costella,
C., Cipryk, R., & Cornelius, S. (2013). Climate-
responsive social protection. Development
Policy Review, 31(SUPPL.2). https://doi.
org/10.1111/dpr.12037
Lowder, S. K., Bertini, R., & Croppenstedt, A.
(2017). Poverty, social protection and
agriculture: Levels and trends in data. Global
Food Security, 15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
gfs.2017.06.001
Mechler, R., & Bouwer, L. M. (2015). Understanding
trends and projections of disaster losses and
climate change: is vulnerability the missing
link?. Climatic Change, 133(1). https://doi.
org/10.1007/s10584-014-1141-0
Merrien, F.-X. (2013). Social Protection as
Development Policy: A New International
Agenda for Action. Revue Internationale de
Politique de Développement, 4.2. https://doi.
org/10.4000/poldev.1525
Morrison, C., & Pickering, C. M. (2013). Perceptions
of climate change impacts, adaptation and
limits to adaption in the Australian Alps: The
ski-tourism industry and key stakeholders.
Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 21(2). https://
doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2012.681789
Nalau, J., & Verrall, B. (2021). Mapping the
evolution and current trends in climate
change adaptation science. Climate Risk
Management, 32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
crm.2021.100290
Nur, I., & Shrestha, K. K. (2017). An Integrative
Perspective on Community Vulnerability to
Flooding in Cities of Developing Countries.
Procedia Engineering, 198. https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.proeng.2017.07.141
Olsson, L., Opondo, M., Tschakert, P., Agrawal,
A., Eriksen, S. H., Ma, S., Perch, L. N., &
Zakieldeen, S. A. (2014). Livelihoods and
poverty (IPCC Working Group II Chapter 13).
In Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation,
and Vulnerability. Volume I: Global and
Sectoral Aspects. Contribution of Working
Group II to the Fifth Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Paul, J., Lim, W. M., O’Cass, A., Hao, A. W., &
and rationales for systematic literature
reviews (SPAR-4-SLR). International Journal
of Consumer Studies, 45(4). https://doi.
org/10.1111/ijcs.12695
Petrasek MacDonald, J., Cunsolo Willox, A., Ford,
J. D., Shiwak, I., Wood, M., Wolfrey, C., Baikie,
M., Andresen, A., Nochasak, N., Piercy, W.,
Flowers, J., Gear, D., Jacque, G., Jacque, H.,
Groves, M., & the Rigolet Inuit Community
Government. (2015). Protective factors for
mental health and well-being in a changing
climate: Perspectives from Inuit youth in
Nunatsiavut, Labrador. Social Science and
Medicine, 141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.
socscimed.2015.07.017
Ribot, J. (2014). Cause and response: vulnerability
and climate in the Anthropocene. Journal of
Peasant Studies, 41(5). https://doi.org/10.1
080/03066150.2014.894911
Tenzing, J., & Conway, D. (2022). Climate discourses
as barriers to rights-based adaptive social
protection: How historical politics shape
Ethiopia’s climate-smart safety net. Global
Environmental Change, 76. https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2022.102583
Tenzing, J. D. (2020). Integrating social protection
and climate change adaptation: A review.
248Adaptive Social Protection: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda
Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate
Change, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.1002/
wcc.626
Thalheimer, L., Heinrich, D., Haustein, K., &
Singh, R. (2022). Integrating a Disaster
Displacement Dimension in Climate Change
Attribution. Meteorology, 1(4). https://doi.
org/10.3390/meteorology1040029
Truelove, H. B., Carrico, A. R., & Thabrew, L.
(2015). A socio-psychological model for
analyzing climate change adaptation: A
case study of Sri Lankan paddy farmers.
Global Environmental Change, 31. https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2014.12.010
van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2010). Software
survey: VOSviewer, a computer program
for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics,
84(2). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-
009-0146-3
