Twenty-Five Years of Panji Story Research: Trend and Future Research Direction

Following the recognition of Panji as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 2017, efforts to preserve and develop Panji have become challenging. To gain insight into the latest developments, a systematic study is required to analyze the state of the art of Panji research. This study aimed to review Panji studies published over twenty-five years (1998–2023) to provide an overview of research trends and future directions. This study analyzed ninety-two publications from the Dimensions database, authored by 189 researchers from nine countries. This study employed the systematic literature review (SLR) method, applying the principles of content analysis and bibliometrics. The results showed an increase in Panji publications over the last four years. Among the dozens of publications, the most frequently used research design was qualitative. In addition, most researchers selected the text of Panji as the object of their investigation, while Panji’s performance was the topic most frequently researched. The historical perspective was the most widely utilized by Panji researchers. Based on these findings, several recommendations for future studies are presented. These include using digital technology, implementing diverse research designs, and collaborating among researchers across countries.