Corporate governance and environmental sustainability: Addressing the dual theme from a bibliometric approach

Abstract

Environmental sustainability represents a business challenge that draws the attention of multidisciplinary and multicultural researchers. This study presents a comprehensive picture of the most relevant research on corporate governance and environmental sustainability since 1991. Through a bibliometric analysis of 233 articles retrieved from the Scopus database, we find that 71.67% of the research that addresses the dual theme in the last 7 years appears in journals of recognized impact (e.g., Business Strategy and the Environment). Researchers in the field focus on the United States, the United Kingdom, and China; determined by total link strength, D. M. Patten, D. Cormier, and P. Berrone are the most influential authors. We also identify 11 thematic groups or subdomains notable for their size and/or validity, including green innovation, institutional factors, climate change, environmental impact, and the board. Remaining to be addressed in future research are the agrifood sector, investment and energy efficiency, and patents and invention. In addition, theoretical approaches should be incorporated with cultural nuances that enrich our understanding of corporate governance as a driving mechanism of climate change.