A Bibliometric Examination of Studies on Corporate Tax Avoidance Utilizing Vosviewer Software

The field of corporate tax avoidance is dynamic, with new theories, methods, and empirical findings emerging over time. As tax laws evolve and corporate practices adapt, researchers continually seek to refine understanding of the drivers and consequences of tax avoidance. This research endeavors to systematically analyze and demonstrate bibliometric data using VOSViewer, providing a comprehensive guide for first-time users. By employing mapping tools within VOSViewer, the study examines the trends and evolution of corporate tax avoidance over five years (2018 – 2023). Utilizing qualitative descriptive methodology, the research presents a detailed network visualization of the subject matter. A search of relevant published journals yielded 1000 articles spanning from 2018 to 2023, categorized into five groups based on publication year. Analysis revealed a total of 180 articles focused on corporate tax avoidance during this timeframe. The study concludes that corporate tax avoidance is an interdisciplinary field ripe for exploration, offering numerous opportunities for innovative research. It is anticipated that this study will serve as a valuable resource for researchers seeking to delve into this topic and determine future research directions


INTRODUCTION
With the evolution of technology, there arises a necessity for bibliometric analysis tools equipped with visual mapping capabilities, especially within the scientific domain.Consequently, there is a demand for software tailored to support complex scientific endeavors, serving as a fundamental element within the contemporary scientific framework with a focus on practical applications.VOSviewer emerges as one such software application, offering invaluable assistance to scientists as a mapping tool.These tools prove instrumental in accessing diverse information about the advancements achieved in scientific research (Al Husaeni & Nandiyanto, 2021).VOSviewer enjoys widespread popularity as a software tool utilized for assessing the originality of research.Additionally, it facilitates the visual representation of bibliographic data, encompassing elements such as titles, authors, journals, and more (Al Husaeni & Nandiyanto, 2021); (van Eck & Waltman, 2017); (Hamidah et al., 2020); (Kaya & Erbay, 2020).The term "bibliography" originates from Ancient Greek roots, specifically "bilio" meaning "book" and "grafi" meaning "writing."Consequently, a bibliography can be described as a compilation of articles, books, and magazines centered around a particular subject matter (Al-Ashmori et al., 2020).
VOSviewer software is employed for handling various aspects of data, including collection, organization, management, analysis, simulation, and more (Kaya & Erbay, 2020).Researchers can utilize this software to uncover innovations within their field of study, as it can illustrate the impact of a particular topic.Moreover, upon inputting data, this tool can identify emerging trends, keywords, and the changing frequency of a specific topic.Additionally, VOSviewer software offers the functionality to generate visual representations of bibliographic data (Al-Ashmori et al., 2020).Within the realm of research, VOSviewer finds application in bibliometric analysis, enabling the exploration of research domains ripe for further investigation and establishing connections for ongoing updates.Additionally, it aids in identifying the most commonly utilized library resources within a particular field of interest.
Tax avoidance, defined by (Hanlon & Heitzman, 2010) as the reduction of explicit taxes, has received considerable attention in recent decades due to the significant implications for corporate decisions and public policy.The literature demonstrates significant cross-sectional differences in the extent to which firms employ tax avoidance strategies (e.g (Dyreng et al., 2008)).Recent papers have focused on investigating the role that shareholder manager conflicts of interest play in corporate tax strategies, in response to (Slemrod, 2004) proposition that corporate tax compliance should be analyzed within a principal-agent framework.The principal-agent framework, on the other hand, goes beyond the shareholder-manager agency issue (Shevlin et al., 2020) The exploration of tax avoidance, tax planning, and tax evasion has transitioned from purely academic discourse to wider public interest.These topics are no longer confined to technical discussions within accounting firms; instead, tax avoidance has become a subject of moral scrutiny, characterized by the use of moralizing language such as "wrong," "harmful," "villains," and "victims."However, this perspective shift has been influenced by the neoliberal shift since the 1980s, which portrays taxation as a burden necessitating "tax relief."(Wang et al., 2020).Analyzing and demonstrating bibliometric data on tax avoidance is important for understanding the research landscape, assessing impact, identifying key topics and themes, informing policy decisions, allocating resources effectively, and tracking progress over time.
The aim of this study is to systematically examine and showcase the process of conducting bibliometric data analysis with VOSViewer.The qualitative descriptive approach was employed to elucidate the performance of bibliometric analysis by generating a network visualization of the selected topic.

Theories of corporate tax avoidance
Tax avoidance decisions entail the lawful redirection of funds from the government to businesses, as outlined by Khuong et al., (2020).Nevertheless, within a company, the inclination towards tax avoidance practices is influenced by various factors, including (a) agency conflicts arising from the separation of management and shareholders, (b) societal expectations, and (c) the perceived acceptability of tax avoidance strategies.

Traditional concept and agency theory
The conventional theory posits that engaging in tax avoidance endeavors diminishes tax obligations and enhances shareholders' value ( (Boussaidi et al., 2021); (Nugroho & Agustia, 2017)).Conversely, tax planning is viewed as a subsequent step taken by managers, aimed at reducing taxes without contravening tax laws (Putra et al., 2018).To evade detection by tax authorities, managers orchestrate intricate transactions for tax avoidance purposes.These transactions serve to obscure their tax avoidance activities from tax authorities, and occasionally from investors as well.

Social obligation approach
Tax avoidance conduct is perceived as a demonstration of societal irresponsibility (Hoi et al., 2013;Chircop et al., 2018)).Slemrod (2004) elucidated that companies with elevated corporate social responsibility (CSR) ratings exhibit greater prudence regarding tax avoidance tactics.Such companies eschew tax-aggressive maneuvers because the discovery of such behavior negates the positive impacts of CSR initiatives (Lanis & Richardson, 2015) and can tarnish their reputations (Ortas & Alvarez, 2020).Conversely, Landry et al., (2013) along with (Mahon, 2002) contended that corporate tax avoidance practices lead to increased penalties from tax authorities and reputational harm to the company.Firms perceive CSR disclosure as a risk management tool, aiming to bolster investor confidence and community trust in the company's performance (Hanlon & Slemrod, 2009).Companies engaged in tax avoidance tend to disclose high levels of CSR practices to conceal such activities (Abdelfattah & Aboud, 2020;Gras-Gil et al., 2016).

Legitimacy approach
Similar to other taxpayers, companies also possess the right to minimize their tax liabilities, albeit within legal confines (John & Gregory, 2013;Whait & Christ, 2018).Managers do not view tax avoidance as an inherently unacceptable or unethical practice.Instead, they perceive it as a strategic decision aimed at maximizing profits, enhancing status, and fulfilling high compensation expectations (Sikka, 2003).However, tax avoidance strategies have encountered significant criticism.Major corporations such as Apple, Starbucks, and Google have utilized transfer pricing mechanisms to sidestep tax obligations (Barford & Holt, 2013).These practices are perceived as contrary to societal norms and pose legitimacy risks for organizations (Christensen & Murphy, 2004).

METHODS
To outline the data utilized in this study, we opted for a qualitative descriptive approach.Our data collection focused on academic journals sourced from publications indexed in Google Scholar.
Previous studies (Azizah et al., 2021;Al Husaeni & Nandiyanto, 2021) provide detailed information on the library quest for data searching.The data extracted from journals pertained to bioenergy management.To gather this information, we utilized the Publish or Perish reference manager application system as a reference guide.This application allows for the selection of relevant articles or journal data from various sources such as Crossref, Google Scholar, Google Scholar Profile, PubMed, Microsoft Academic, Scopus, and Web of Science.The Publish or Perish program facilitated the literature review process on the chosen topic, resulting in a database of similar research.
In this research, Google Scholar was selected due to its accessibility, being free of charge, unlike Scopus which either requires a subscription or charges for access.Journals relevant to the chosen topic were identified within the timeframe of 2018 to 2023, resulting in the discovery of 1000 articles during this period.The selection of the years 2018-2023 for tax avoidance research reflects a combination of factors such as relevance, data availability, research interest, methodological considerations, and practical limitations.The inclusion criteria for journals stipulated that they must be indexed by Google Scholar and pertinent to the theme of corporate tax avoidance.Subsequently, the gathered information was inputted into VOSviewer, and the data underwent processing to align with the specified keywords.VOSviewer then transformed the input data into an interconnected data map.Furthermore, an examination was conducted on the yearly distribution of publications, and the top 20 articles with the highest citations were identified for each publisher from the total pool of 1000 articles.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
994 articles on the topic of corporate tax avoidance published in journals between 2018 and 2023 were discovered using data obtained from a search using the Publish and Perish software.Every year, corporate tax avoidance articles are fairly evenly distributed.From 2018 to 2023, there were 328, 270, 230, 78, and 88 published journals, respectively.
Table 1 exhibits the data concerning the most referenced articles within the domain of corporate tax avoidance.The number of keywords pertaining to research topics that could be linked to VOSviewer was constrained to two.Subsequently, a dataset comprising research articles was compiled to explore the correlations between these terms.(v) Cluster 5 has 9 items, the 9 items are article, compliance, corporate tax evasion, evasion, fact, independent variable, legal tax avoidance, tax administration, taxpayer.
(vi) Cluster 6 has 6 items, the 6 items are hal ini, journal, managerial ability, moderasi, significant impact, and wealth.Each Cluster contained a two-term relationship.The country was the most frequently used term as a research topic for corporate tax avoidance in Cluster 1.According to Figure 4, countries are linked to 75 other terms.International corporate tax avoidance, need, rule, attention, bep, corporation, tax reform, economy, crisis, covid, the past decade, multinational tax avoidance, part, focus, world, year, tax incentive, compliance, review, attention, evasion, revenue, client, extent, tax transparency, bank, wealth, multinational company, scope, mechanism, and environmental regulation are all terms related to country keywords.Penghindaran pajak was the most widely discussed term in the field of corporate tax avoidance in Cluster 2. Penghindaran pajak was linked to 52 other terms in Figure 5. Agresivitas pajak, bursa efek Indonesia, audit committee, cash effective tax rate, good corporate governance, significant influence, sales growth, leverage, profitabilitas, komisaris independent, and ukuran perusahaan were all terms related to the keyword penghindaran pajak.

Figure 5. Network visualization of cluster 2
In Cluster 3, quality was at the centre of the term that was most commonly used as a research topic for corporate tax avoidance and had numerous connections with other terms.According to the graph, quality was linked to 20 other terms (see Figure 6).International corporate tax avoidance, tax policy, rule, evasion, extent, wealth, order, influence, profitability and liquidity were all quality keywords.

Figure 6. Network visualization of cluster 3
Meanwhile, in Cluster 4, transfer pricing became the main center of the term that was most frequently raised as a topic of research on corporate tax avoidance and had numerous connections with other terms.Figure 7 depicts the relationship between transfer pricing and other words.Figure 7 depicts the relationship between transfer pricing and 35 others.Figure 7 shows how transfer pricing was linked to 35 other concepts-mechanism, argument, view, ability, agenda, channel, influence, and tax avoidance.

Figure 7. Network visualization of cluster 4
In Cluster 5, evasion was the center point of the term that was most widely used as a research topic for corporate tax avoidance and had numerous connections to other terms.According to Figure 8, evasion was linked to 82 other terms.Corporate finance, presence, client, revenue, tax ability, gap, tax avoidance scheme, rule, country, review, compliance, tax policy, tax reform, corporation, tax administration, corporate tax evasion, taxpayer, agency theory, comparison, corporate taxis, leverage and agresivitas pajak were all terms related to evasion keywords.In cluster 6, wealth was the center point of the term that was most frequently used as a research topic for corporate tax avoidance and had numerous connections to other terms.According to Figure 9, wealth was linked to 13 other terms.Tax cut, evasion, country, corporate taxis, and asset were all terms related to wealth.

CONCLUSION
This study aimed to examine the bibliometric literature concerning corporate tax avoidance.The research utilized the keyword "corporate tax avoidance" during the search process, focusing on titles, keywords, and abstracts.A total of 994 relevant articles were identified through this search.Subsequently, VOSviewer was employed to conduct the mapping procedure, resulting in the identification of the top 20 papers with the highest number of citations.Analysis and mapping using VOSviewer indicated that corporate tax avoidance research, specifically in the period from 2018 to 2023, was the most extensively studied topic.The VOSviewer analysis identified six keyword clusters associated with the research topic of corporate tax avoidance.Each cluster comprises a primary term interconnected with other terms.Cluster 1 encompassed terms such as international corporate tax avoidance, regulations, attention, tax incentives, and environmental regulations.On the other hand, Clusters 2-6 included terms such as profitability, liquidity, tax evasion, corporate taxes, effective tax rate, tax policy, and tax reform.

SUGGESTIONS
The suggestions are divided into two: 1 By integrating theoretical perspectives from various disciplines and applying them to the bibliometric examination of studies on corporate tax avoidance using VOSviewer software, researchers can deepen their understanding of the theoretical underpinnings, empirical patterns, and theoretical debates surrounding tax avoidance research.This theoretical synthesis can enrich scholarly discourse, stimulate theoretical advancements, and inform evidence-based policymaking in the field of corporate taxation.

Figure 1
Figure 1 depicts the relationship between the terms.Relationships are represented in the network visualization by a network or line that connects one term to another (Al Husaeni & Nandiyanto, 2021).Figure 1 depicts the clusters in each of the examined issue areas.Other terms are most closely related to the research keyword.

Figure 1 .
Figure 1.Network visualization of corporate tax avoidance.

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. Overlay visualization of corporate tax avoidance.

Figure 2
Figure 2 depicts the annual trend in corporate tax avoidance research.Based on Figure 2, corporate tax avoidance research was conducted between 2018 and 2023.Figure 3's density visualization shows that the darker the yellow color and the wider the circle, the denser the keywords, indicating that research on this topic was becoming more popular.If the color faded and blended into the green background, the number of studies was reduced.

Figure 3 .
Figure 3. Density visualization of corporate tax avoidance.

Table 1 . The most cited articles of corporate tax avoidance No Cites
DISCUSSIONThe information gathered on the subject of corporate tax avoidance was classified into six clusters, namely: (i)Cluster 1 has 80 items, the 80 items are America, attention, bep, blockchain, book tax difference, challenge, channel, combination, contrast, corporate income tax, corporate responbility, corporate tax base, corporate tax reform, corporate tax revenue, corporate tax strategy, corporation, country, country reporting, covid, crisis, decade, destination, economy, estimate, Europe, European union, gap, Germany, heart, implication, importance, international corporate tax avoidance, international corporate taxation, international tax, international tax avoidance, issue, jobs act, loss, mnes, multinational, multinational corporation, multinational enterprise, multinational firm, nature, need, past decade, percent, personal income tax, possibility, principle, problem, real effect, reason, reference, regulator, respect, revenue, revenue loss, review, rise, rule, scale, scope, section, state, statutory corporate tax rate, tax base, tax competition, tax cut, tax haven, tax incentive, tax policy, tax reform, tax system, term, top, understanding, united state, world, and year.population, positive effect, profitabilitas, profitability, roa, sales growth, significant effect, significant negative effect, significant positive effect, signifikan terhadap tax avoidance, studi empiris pada, studi pada perusahaan, terdaftar, terhadap tax avoidance, thin capitalization, ukuran perusahaan, and variable moderasi.
. Practical suggestions: Practical suggestions for conducting a bibliometric examination of studies on corporate tax avoidance utilizing VOSviewer software include: a. Comprehensive Literature Search: Begin by conducting a comprehensive literature search using relevant databases and search engines to identify a wide range of studies on corporate tax avoidance.Utilize appropriate keywords and search strings to capture relevant literature across various disciplines, including economics, accounting, finance, and law.b.Data Collection and Preprocessing: Collect bibliographic data from selected studies, including citation information, keywords, abstracts, and publication details.Standardize the data format and perform necessary preprocessing steps, such as removing duplicates, correcting errors, and harmonizing terminology, to ensure consistency and accuracy in the dataset.c.VOSviewer Setup and Configuration: Familiarize yourself with the functionalities of VOSviewer software and configure the tool according to your research objectives.Choose appropriate parameters for data visualization, such as the type of network visualization (e.g., co-citation, co-authorship), clustering algorithms, and color schemes, to effectively represent the bibliometric relationships among studies.d.Network Visualization and Analysis: Generate network visualizations using VOSviewer to explore the bibliometric relationships among studies on corporate tax avoidance.Identify clusters of closely related studies based on citation patterns, keyword cooccurrences, or author collaborations, and analyze the structure and dynamics of the literature network to uncover underlying research themes and trends.e. Interpretation and Synthesis of Findings: Interpret the results of the bibliometric analysis to gain insights into the evolution, interconnections, and knowledge gaps in the field of corporate tax avoidance research.Synthesize key findings from the network visualization and identify prominent authors, journals, concepts, and research areas shaping the scholarly discourse on tax avoidance.f.Validation and Sensitivity Analysis: Validate the robustness of the bibliometric findings through sensitivity analysis and alternative visualization techniques.Assess the stability of clustering results, the impact of parameter settings, and the reliability of network metrics to ensure the validity and consistency of the analysis.g.Critical Reflection and Discussion: Reflect critically on the implications of the bibliometric findings for theory, practice, and policy related to corporate tax avoidance.Discuss the strengths and limitations of the analysis, identify potential research directions, and offer practical recommendations for future studies and evidence-based policymaking.h.Dissemination and Knowledge Transfer: Disseminate the findings of the bibliometric examination through academic publications, conference presentations, and other knowledge dissemination channels.Engage with stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and the broader public, to facilitate knowledge transfer and stimulate informed discussions on corporate tax avoidance and its implications.By following these practical suggestions, researchers can effectively utilize VOSviewer software to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric examination of studies on corporate tax avoidance and contribute valuable insights to the scholarly literature and policy debate in this field.2. Theoretical Advice: Theoretical suggestions for conducting a bibliometric examination of studies on corporate tax avoidance utilizing VOSviewer software encompass several key aspects: a. Theoretical Framework Selection: Begin by identifying and selecting a relevant theoretical framework or frameworks to guide the bibliometric examination.Consider theoretical perspectives from economics, accounting, finance, law, and related fields that provide insights into the drivers, mechanisms, and consequences of corporate tax avoidance.b.Conceptualization of Tax Avoidance: Clarify the conceptualization of corporate tax avoidance within the chosen theoretical framework(s).Define tax avoidance in terms of legal tax planning strategies aimed at minimizing tax liabilities within the confines of tax laws and regulations, distinguishing it from tax evasion and tax compliance behaviors.c.Tax Avoidance Determinants: Explore theoretical propositions and empirical evidence regarding the determinants of corporate tax avoidance.Examine factors such as tax rates, enforcement levels, financial reporting incentives, corporate governance mechanisms, institutional environments, and firm-specific characteristics that influence tax avoidance behaviors.d.Agency Theory and Tax Avoidance: Apply agency theory to analyze the principalagent relationships and agency conflicts inherent in corporate tax avoidance decisions.Investigate how conflicts of interest between shareholders, managers, and other stakeholders shape tax avoidance strategies and outcomes.e. Resource Dependency Theory and Tax Avoidance: Utilize resource dependency theory to examine how corporations strategically manage their relationships with external stakeholders, including governments, tax authorities, customers, suppliers, and investors, to minimize tax liabilities and maintain organizational legitimacy.f.Institutional Theory and Tax Avoidance: Apply institutional theory to understand the role of formal and informal institutional pressures, norms, and structures in shaping corporate tax avoidance behaviors.Explore how legal, regulatory, cultural, and societal institutions influence corporate tax planning practices across different jurisdictions.g.Network Theory and Tax Avoidance: Employ network theory to analyze the social networks, knowledge networks, and collaboration networks among researchers, institutions, and countries engaged in studying corporate tax avoidance.Investigate how network structures and dynamics shape research collaboration, knowledge diffusion, and scholarly impact in the field.h.Evolutionary Theory and Tax Avoidance: Consider evolutionary theory to examine the evolutionary dynamics, adaptation processes, and path dependencies in corporate tax avoidance research.Trace the historical development, paradigm shifts, and emergent patterns in the literature on tax avoidance over time.