Student motivation is an important factor that influences student engagement and academic achievement. Although many studies have examined learning motivation in classroom settings with non-interactive presentation media, limited research has explored how gamification affects motivation and learning outcomes in economics education. This study investigates the impact of using Blooket—a game-based learning platform—on students’ motivation and academic performance in economics classes during the 2024/2025 academic year. The study aims to: (i) evaluate the impact of Blooket on students’ learning motivation, (ii) assess the impact of Blooket on students’ learning outcomes. Data were collected through questionnaires and tests involving 40 high school students divided into experimental and control groups. The findings revealed that students taught using Blooket demonstrated significantly higher motivation and better learning outcomes compared to those taught using traditional methods. This study highlights the impact of the gamification medium 'Blooket' in fostering a more engaging and motivating learning environment, offering practical insights for educators seeking to enhance student participation and performance through digital tools.

. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play a pivotal role in driving economic growth, innovation, and employment creation, especially in developing countries. This study employs a bibliometric approach to analyze trends, themes, and scholarly contributions to SME research in these regions over the past five years (2020–2024). Drawing on 485 publications from the Scopus database, the analysis reveals significant trends in scholarly output, key citation metrics, influential authors, and emerging research topics. The findings indicate a steady growth in scholarly interest, with the highest publication output observed in 2022. Research topics such as entrepreneurship, digital transformation, green innovation, and financial management are prominent, reflecting their critical importance to SME development. Additionally, sustainability and Industry 4.0-related themes are identified as having high citation impact, underscoring their relevance to contemporary challenges and opportunities for SMEs. China, the United Kingdom, and India are the leading contributors to the field, with substantial contributions from emerging economies such as Malaysia and Indonesia. This study contributes to the understanding of SME research dynamics by highlighting key areas of focus, identifying influential contributions, and mapping the global landscape of SME scholarship. By providing insights into recent trends and thematic priorities, the study offers practical implications for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners seeking to enhance the resilience, innovation, and sustainability of SMEs in developing countries. The findings underscore the need for targeted strategies and collaborative efforts to address emerging challenges and foster inclusive economic growth through SME development.