GOVERNMENTAL ROLES IN SUSTAINABLE GOVERNANCE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Abstract

This study addresses the fragmented research on governmental roles in green governance (GRGG) by integrating bibliometric and grounded theory analyzes of 381 papers from the Web of Science. The analyzed publications span the period from the inception of the database to June 2023, thereby capturing the evolution of the field over time. It identifies five key GRGG roles: green policy entrepreneur, policy designer, cooperative network coordinator, public service provider, and GG regulator, outlining their interrelationships. The framework highlights the dual nature of governmental functions: not only to promote green initiatives but also to regulate and steer the direction of development toward sustainability, ensuring alignment with overarching public and environmental interests. A comprehensive theoretical framework is developed, and a visualized knowledge pedigree is created. The study also highlights five future research opportunities, offering new perspectives for advancing both research and practical applications in green governance.