Integrating Sustainability into Business Practices: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends and Structures
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18537/mskn.16.02.09Keywords:
bibliometric analysis, sustainability, business practices, circular economy, intellectual structureAbstract
This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the academic literature (2020-2025) on the intersection of sustainability and circular economy in business practices. Employing a robust dataset of 1,922 articles from Scopus, the research utilizes VOSviewer and Bibliometrix to map the field’s intellectual structure. Findings reveal an exponential growth in research, concentrated geographically in the UK, China, and Italy. The intellectual core is anchored by “circular economy,” connecting key thematic clusters such as operational implementation, strategic innovation (including Industry 4.0), and governance. Notably, gender emerges as a motor theme, signaling a growing focus on social equity. The analysis identifies a critical research gap concerning innovative financing mechanisms needed to scale circular transitions. This data-driven map provides a crucial guide for researchers and practitioners, highlighting consolidated knowledge, key actors, and strategic directions for future inquiry in this vital domain of sustainable business.
Downloads
Metrics
References
Akash, M. H., Al Aziz, R., Karmaker, C. L., Bari, A. M., Kabir, K. A., & Islam, A. R. M. T. (2025). Investigating the attributes for implementing circular economy in the textile manufacturing supply chain: Implications for the triple bottom line of sustainability. Sustainable Horizons, 14, 100129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.horiz.2024.100129
Apriantoro, M. S., Diniyah, D. N., & Rosadi, R. D. P. (2024). Riding the tides of change: A bibliometric expedition on technology-enabled circular economy. Multidisciplinary Reviews, 7 (5). https://doi.org/10.31893/multirev.2024089
Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, L. (2017). Bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959–975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007
Bokor, B. (2024). Corporate engagement in mitigating plastic pollution: Examining voluntary initiatives and EU regulations. Frontiers in Sustainability, 5, 1420041. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2024.1420041
Cantú, A., Aguiñaga, E., & Scheel, C. (2021). Learning from failure and success: The challenges for circular economy implementation in SMEs in an emerging economy. Sustainability, 13(3), 1529. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031529
Chen, C. W. (2020). Improving Circular Economy Business Models: Opportunities for Business and Innovation: A new framework for businesses to create a truly circular economy. Johnson Matthey Technology Review, 64(1), 48-58. https://doi.org/10.1595/205651320X15710564137538
Ciano, M. P., Peron, M., Panza, L., & Pozzi, R. (2025). Industry 4.0 technologies in support of circular Economy: A 10R-based integration framework. Computers & Industrial Engineering, 201, 110867. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cie.2025.110867
Clube, R. K., & Tennant, M. (2023). What would a human-centred ‘social’Circular Economy look like? Drawing from Max-Neef’s Human-Scale Development proposal. Journal of Cleaner Production, 383, 135455. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.135455
Dachry, A., El Assad, N., Fouraiji, H., Gziri, H., Dachry, W., & Messaoudi, N. (2024, May). Sustainability in the Era of Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy: Thoretical Background and Bibliometric Analysis. In 2024 4th International Conference on Innovative Research in Applied Science, Engineering and Technology (IRASET) (pp. 1-10). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/IRASET60544.2024.10549392
De La Cuesta-González, M., & Morales-García, M. (2022). Does finance as usual work for circular economy transition? A financiers and SMEs qualitative approach. Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 65(13), 2468-2489. https://doi.org/10.1080/09640568.2021.1972798
Dolci, V., Bigliardi, B., Petroni, A., Pini, B., Filippelli, S., & Tagliente, L. (2024). Integrating Industry 4.0 and circular economy: a conceptual framework for sustainable manufacturing. Procedia Computer Science, 232, 1711-1720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procs.2024.01.169
Dsouza, S., Momin, M., Habibniya, H., & Tripathy, N. (2024). Optimizing performance through sustainability: The mediating influence of firm liquidity on ESG efficacy in African enterprises. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 2423273. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2423273
Ellen MacArthur Foundation. (2024). What is a circular economy? https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview
European Environment Agency. (2024). International cooperation. https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/about/international
Jadhav, D. S., & Sarangi, S. (2025). Corporate sustainability and performance: a bibliometric review for two decades. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 32(4), 1459-1483. https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-07-2023-0467
Jiang, M., & Ma, J. (2025). Policy, investment, and growth: How green finance drives corporate sustainable development? International Review of Economics & Finance, 104326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iref.2025.104326
Jobstreibizer, J., Beliaeva, T., Ferasso, M., Kraus, S., & Kallmuenzer, A. (2025). The impact of artificial intelligence on business models: a bibliometric-systematic literature review. Management Decision, 63(13), 372-396. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-10-2024-2309
Kirschenmann, K. (2023). The EU taxonomy’s (potential) effects on the banking sector and bank lending to firms. The Economists’ Voice, 19(2), 275-283. https://doi.org/10.1515/ev-2022-0027
Kumar, B., Kumar, A., Sassanelli, C., & Kumar, L. (2025). Exploring the role of finance in driving circular economy and sustainable business practices. Journal of Cleaner Production, 486, 144480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.144480
Lamba, H. K., Kumar, N. S., & Dhir, S. (2024). Circular economy and sustainable development: A review and research agenda. International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management, 73(2), 497–522. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPPM-06-2022-0314
Liu, K. (2025). Contested circular economy and mixed social implications from practice: A scoping review. Sustainable Development, 33(2), 2154-2170. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3229
Lwesya, F., & Achanta, J. (2024). Mapping research trends on food supply chain: a bibliometric analysis. Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, 14(3), 496-518. https://doi.org/10.1108/JADEE-08-2022-0175
Maksymiv, Y., Skromyda, N., & Urbancic, J. (2024). Accounting and reporting in supporting the transition to a circular economy: a bibliometric analysis. Journal of Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University, 11(4), 101-110. https://doi.org/10.15330/jpnu.11.4.101-110
Meili, R., & Stucki, T. (2023). Money matters: The role of money as a regional and corporate financial resource for circular economy transition at firm-level. Research Policy, 52(10), 104884. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2023.104884
Mendonça, J. A., Roberto, F. R. A., Kai, D. A., & Benitez, G. B. (2025). The Lock‐In Effect on ESG and Business Performance Relationship: A Critical Examination and Meta‐Analysis. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. 32(5), 6912-6936 https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.70062
Minatogawa, V., Franco, M., Rampasso, I. S., Holgado, M., Garrido, D., Pinto, H., & Quadros, R. (2022). Towards systematic sustainable business model innovation: What can we learn from business model innovation. Sustainability, 14(5), 2939. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14052939
Ndlovu, M. N., Ndlovu, E. N., & Ebewo, P. E. (2025). The Intersection of Business Models and SME Performance: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends. Administrative Sciences, 15(4), 143. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15040143
Otasowie, O. K., Aigbavboa, C. O., Oke, A. E., & Adekunle, P. (2024). Mapping out focus for circular economy business models (CEBMs) research in construction sector studies–a bibliometric approach. Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-10-2023-0444
Pérez Estébanez, R., & Sevillano Martín, F. J. (2025). Business sustainability and its effect on performance measures: A comprehensive analysis. Sustainability, 17(1), 297. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17010297
Prakash, S. K. J., Aluvala, R., Thimmapuram, K., & G, S. (2025). The Role of Business Strategy in Advancing Sustainability Goals: a Comprehensive Systematic and Bibliometric Analysis. Circular Economy and Sustainability, 1-28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43615-025-00605-4
Precious, D. (2025). Mapping the Intellectual Landscape of Circular Economy and SDG 12: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Evolution, Thematic Structure, and Geographical Disparities (2015–2024). Sustainable Development. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70019
Purwanto, E., Iskandar, Y., Mala, C. M. F., & Dewi, C. S. (2025). Circular economy and sustainable manufacturing: a bibliometric analysis. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1441(1), 012021. IOP Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1441/1/012021
Rafi, T. (2022, June 9). Why sustainability is crucial for corporate strategy. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/06/why-sustainability-is-crucial-for-corporate-strategy/
Razalli, M. R., Rahim, M. K. I. A., Noordin, A., Kafi, A., Lateh, A., Yusuf, M. F., & Shad, M. K. (2024). Global Trends of Circular Economy and Innovation Research: A Bibliometric Analysis. International Journal of Sustainable Development & Planning, 19(12), 3749-3760. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsdp.191202
Sáenz De Viteri, C.; Luna, M.; Triviño, G. & Rosas, M. (2025). Exploration and Interpretation of Current Bibliometric Data: Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence. Podium, 47, 59–82. https://doi.org/10.31095/podium.2025.47.4
Salinas, A., Ortiz, C., Muffatto, M. & Changoluisa, J. (2023). Formal Institutions and Informal Entrepreneurial Activity: Panel Data Evidence from Latin American Countries. Entrepreneurship Research Journal, 13(2), 309-344. https://doi.org/10.1515/erj-2020-0013
Schwartz, J. (2025). Transnational ESG: The Impact of EU Sustainability Directives on US Law and Policy. JL & Pol. Econ., 5, 352. http://doi.org/10.5070/LP60065151
Song, C., & Ahmad, F. S. (2024). Bibliometric Analysis of IoT Business Models: Trends, Influences, and Future Directions. Journal of Intelligence Studies in Business, 14(2), 24-44. https://doi.org/10.37380/jisib.v14.i2.2509
Tang, C., Guo, X., & Li, X. (2025). ESG and corporate performance: The moderating role of government subsidies and mediating effect of analyst coverage in Chinese A-share listed companies. PLoS One, 20(5), e0322190. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0322190
Tran, A. V., & Khoa, B. T. (2025). Global Research Trends in Circular Economy: A Bibliometric Analysis in E‐Commerce. Human Behavior and Emerging Technologies, 2025(1), 8645845. https://doi.org/10.1155/hbe2/8645845
Urbinati, A., Rosa, P., Sassanelli, C., Chiaroni, D., & Terzi, S. (2020). Circular business models in the European manufacturing industry: A multiple case study analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 274, 122964. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122964
Uriarte-Gallastegi, N., Landeta-Manzano, B., Arana-Landín, G., & Laskurain-Iturbe, I. (2022). How do technologies based on Cyber–Physical systems affect the environmental performance of products? A comparative study of manufacturers’ and customers’ perspectives. Sustainability, 14(20), 13437. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013437
Uwuigbe, U., Issah, O., Ranti, U. O., Zubeiru, M., Anaba, S., & Seidu, A. A. J. (2025). Circular economy: a bibliometric review of research in emerging economies (2010-2024). International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, 15(1), 77-89. https://doi.org/10.32479/ijeep.17021
van Eck, N. J., & Waltman, L. (2010). Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping. Scientometrics, 84(2), 523–538. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3
Villalba-Eguiluz, U., Sahakian, M., González-Jamett, C., & Etxezarreta, E. (2023). Social and solidarity economy insights for the circular economy: Limited-profit and sufficiency. Journal of Cleaner Production, 418, 138050. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.138050
Wang, Y., & Wang, X. (2024). From ratings to action: The impact of ESG performance on corporate innovation. Heliyon, 10(4). e26683 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26683
Yiheng, G., Kassim, A. A. M., Heng, X., & Kai, Z. (2024). The impact of environmental, social, and governance on corporate financial performance: Empirical evidence based on Chinese a-share listed companies. International Journal of Applied Economics, Finance and Accounting, 18(1), 142-157. https://doi.org/10.33094/ijaefa.v18i1.1336
Zighan, S., Alkalha, Z., & Jum’a, L. (2025). Barriers to Circular Economy Transitions in Emerging Markets: Insights From the GCC and Implications for Sustainable Development. Sustainable Development. Early View (Online Version of Record before inclusion in an issue). https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70177
Zupic, I., & Čater, T. (2015). Bibliometric methods in management and organization. Organizational Research Methods, 18(3), 429–472. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094428114562629
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Cristian Sáenz De Viteri
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright © Autors. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. for any article submitted from 6 June 2017 onwards. For manuscripts submitted before, the CC BY 3.0 License was used.
You are free to:
 |
Share — copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format |
 |
Adapt — remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially. |
Under the following conditions:
 |
Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the licence, and indicate if changes were made. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licenser endorses you or your use. |
| No additional restrictions — You may not apply legal terms or technological measures that legally restrict others from doing anything the licence permits. |
