A bibliometric analysis of SDGs in business studies: An examination of trends

Authors

  • Afaf Izzati Nafhah Radzi Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sarawak Branch, Samarahan Campus, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.
  • Haslinda Yusoff Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Fadzlina Mohd Fahmi Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
  • Nur Syuhada Jasni Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol10iss2pp701-729

Abstract

Background and Purpose: In recent years, governments and corporations have increasingly recognised the importance of sustainable development. This study examines research on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in business studies to reveal current trends, leading contributors, highly cited documents, and the primary themes in this SDGs and business research. 

Methodology: A bibliometric analysis was conducted on 448 publications in Scopus-indexed journals between 2016 and 2024, using Bibliomagika, OpenRefine, Microsoft Excel, and VOSviewer.

 

Findings: The study revealed an increasing trend of SDG in business research publications from 2016 to 2023. The study also revealed statistics on the top 20 prolific contributors to SDGs and business studies, highlighting key authors, institutions, countries, and source titles. The study proposed six primary themes based on the similarity in author keywords. This includes corporate sustainability strategies, stakeholder engagement, SDG compass and Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Framework, innovation and circular business models, the synergy between SDGs, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), financial performance, and private sector contributions to Agenda 2030. The study also discovered that the emerging research topic trends were related to SDG reporting, disclosure, stakeholders, circular economy, and financial performance.

Contributions: This study contributes to the SDG-business field, assisting scholars in identifying key trends, contributors, and thematic areas for further investigation. Additionally, this finding offers guidance for the ongoing development of SDGs and business-related research.

Keywords: SDGs, business, bibliometric analysis, VOSviewer, Scopus.

Author Biographies

  • Afaf Izzati Nafhah Radzi, Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sarawak Branch, Samarahan Campus, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia.

    Afaf Izzati Nafhah Radzi is a lecturer at the Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sarawak Branch, Malaysia. Her research interests include sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

  • Haslinda Yusoff, Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

    Haslinda Yusoff (PhD) is currently the Assistant Vice Chancellor, Institute of Quality and Knowledge Advancement (InQKA) and a Professor at the Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Malaysia. Her skills and expertise include Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), corporate sustainability accounting and reporting, as well as mixed method research. She has published extensively in both national and international indexed journals.

  • Fadzlina Mohd Fahmi, Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

    Fadzlina Mohd Fahmi (PhD) is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Malaysia. Her skills and expertise include sustainability, corporate social responsibility accounting and Environmental, Social and Governance as well as qualitative research design. She has published both nationally and internationally.

  • Nur Syuhada Jasni, Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, 42300 Bandar Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.

    Nur Syuhada Jasni (PhD) is a Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Accountancy, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Malaysia. Her skills and expertise include Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), business strategy, and sustainability. She has published both nationally and internationally

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Published

2025-07-31

How to Cite

A bibliometric analysis of SDGs in business studies: An examination of trends. (2025). Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS), 10(2), 701-729. https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol10iss2pp701-729