Shifting Tides: A Decade of Business Climate Adaptation and Resilience Research (2013–2023)

Abstract

Climate change is causing significant disruptions to the socio-ecological systems in which organizations operate, presenting unprecedented challenges for businesses across sectors in adapting to shifting environmental conditions and building resilience to extreme weather events. This Systematic Literature Review synthesizes the evolution of theoretical and empirical research on business climate adaptation and resilience from 2013 to 2023, accounting for both sector-specific dynamics and cross-sectoral patterns that shape effective organizational responses. The study employs an integrated methodological framework that combines bibliometric analysis, topic modeling, and expert-driven qualitative validation. The findings reveal a central structural tension within the literature between firm-centric perspectives and system-oriented approaches. This divide reflects contrasting conceptualizations of firm embeddedness within social–ecological systems, alongside enduring challenges in bridging management scholarship with environmental sciences. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the field, identifies emerging themes and persistent research gaps, whereas informing strategies for improving business responses to accelerating climate challenges.