Vol.:(0123456789) Scientometrics https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-019-03341-3 1 3 Cooperation networks in the area of health: systematic literature review Isabel Cristina Panziera Marques 1  · Mário Franco 2 Received: 25 October 2019 © Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary 2020 Abstract The difculties and challenges of cooperation networks in the area of health originate the need for more transparent policies to improve the quality of service, focusing on the main actors involved and analysis of the emerging trend in research. Through a systematic lit‑ erature review covering the last 20 years, articles were selected from the Scopus database, where 70 studies were analysed after using sorting criteria according to the SMARTER method. Studies were categorized in two areas focusing on public health, identifying the main actors involved in cooperation processes and in theories and cooperation in health, flling a major gap in the literature. By identifying and attributing the participation of the actors involved, it is possible to understand and plan public health activities because they are organized eforts of society as a whole that seeks not only the cure of diseases but the prevention and prolongation of healthy life. This study contributes to the literature showing the main groups of actors involved in cooperation in health and listing the theoretical mod‑ els and theories that are gradually becoming part of the theoretical framework of research in this area, summarizing the relevant literature. The direction of future agenda on coop‑ eration networks in health focusing on participation of diferent actors provides innovates, based on the remaining gaps around the theme. Keywords Health policy · Cooperative networks · Network theory · Cooperation in health · SLR Introduction Cooperation networks transform management and care provision in health. Cooperation, alliances and partnerships including a variety of actors are today essential characteristics of research and intervention in public health (Baker et al. 2005; Wells and Weiner 2007; * Mário Franco mfranco@ubi.pt Isabel Cristina Panziera Marques marques_enf@yahoo.com.br 1 University of Beira Interior, Estrada do Sineiro, 6200‑209 Covilhã, Portugal 2 Department of Management and Economics, CEFAGE‑UBI Research Center, University of Beira Interior, Estrada do Sineiro, 6200‑209 Covilhã, Portugal