Economic value, challenges, and future perspectives for bamboo in Malaysia: Evidence synthesis, conceptual integration, and a research agenda

Purpose: This study critically synthesizes evidence on the economic value, industry constraints, applications and prospects of bamboo (Bambusoideae) in Malaysia and explains the conditions required to convert resource potential into a competitive and inclusive bamboo economy. Design/methodology/approach: A PRISMA 2020-guided systematic literature review was conducted across Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar for publications issued between January 2020 and December 2025. From 352 records, 70 studies met the eligibility criteria. Modified Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool informed evidence weighting, while a hybrid deductive-inductive thematic analysis and cross-study synthesis were used to identify convergent findings, contradictions and knowledge gaps. Findings: The evidence falls into four themes: economic value and market potential (n = 20), challenges and constraints (n = 18), applications and processing technologies (n = 19), and sustainability-focused future views (n = 13). Global demand and Malaysia’s resources show high potential, but development faces weaknesses in land and institutions, investment, processing, standards, market, and supply chains. Pulp and paper are the quickest routes to scale, while composites, construction, food, biochar, and biorefinery are medium- and long-term opportunities. Limitations and Research implications: The review is limited by the selected databases, English-language coverage, the 2020-2025 search period and the heterogeneity of study designs, which precluded meta-analysis. Future research should prioritise resource and productivity inventories, techno-economic feasibility, consumer and industrial demand, supply-chain governance, pest and disease resilience, lifecycle performance and policy evaluation. Practical Implications: Malaysia should sequence sector development through a national coordination mechanism, harmonised land and tenure rules, resource mapping, quality standards, commercially located processing hubs, blended finance, contract-based feedstock systems, technical training and phased market development. Originality/value: The review moves beyond a descriptive catalogue of bamboo uses by proposing an integrated Bamboo Value Realisation Framework that links policy and institutions, investment, technology, markets, and sustainability. It also provides a comparative interpretation, a phased implementation roadmap and a time-bound research agenda for Malaysia’s transition towards a circular bio-based economy and SDG 8.