The Philosophy of Financial Performance: A Bibliometric and Conceptual Review

Abstract

Financial performance research has increasingly intersected with philosophical debates on ethics, sustainability, and stakeholder value, yet a clear framework linking these perspectives to actionable financial metrics remains underdeveloped. This study aims to explore how philosophical perspectives (normative, epistemological, and behavioral) inform the evolving concept of financial performance, using bibliometric and science mapping techniques to analyze key research trends from 2006 to 2023. The analysis identifies four dominant thematic areas: corporate social responsibility (CSR), organizational performance, ethical governance, and circular economy innovation. We synthesize these into a practical framework that connects each theme to measurable financial indicators, enabling managers to refine capital allocation, investors to incorporate non-financial drivers into valuation models, and policymakers to design sustainability reporting standards that integrate both economic and ethical considerations. By bridging philosophical insights and financial decision-making tools, this study contributes to both the theoretical development and applied practice of performance assessment in finance.