Mapping Research on ESG Disclosure and Firm Performance: A Bibliometric Perspective

An increasing number of individuals have expressed apprehension regarding the societal and environmental consequences of profit maximization by corporations which has raised concerns about “ESG disclosure” and its influence on corporate performance. Thus, the current study conducts a bibliometric-based and systematic analysis to evaluate “the impact of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosure on firm performance”. Using bibliometric methods, the current study aims to investigate the influential authors, most cited journals, and key trends in the existing literature on ESG disclosure and firm performance. Moreover, via a systematic analysis of relevant studies, the current study produces findings to assess the overall influence of ESG disclosure on the financial and operational performance of companies. The data from 10 years, i.e., 2015 to 2024, has been used for the study. 25 Papers with keywords (TITLE-ABS-KEY (“ESG disclosure”) AND TITLE-ABS-KEY (“impact” OR “effect”) AND TITLE-ABS-KEY (“firm profitability” OR “organization performance” OR “firm performance”)), published and indexed in Scopus has been chosen for the study. Software such as Excel and VOS Viewer are utilized for the analysis of the study. The study identified four major clusters: “analyzing the interplay between corporate governance, environmental impact, and financial performance”, “the evolution of ESG dynamics in emerging markets”, “unlocking the nexus between ESG scores, financial performance, and governance disclosure” and “driving performance through ESG disclosure”. Additionally, it emphasizes the growing quantity of citations and papers about ESG disclosures. The study offers a thorough overview of the state of knowledge in this field by combining bibliometric insights with a systematic approach. It also offers useful insights for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers about the relationship between firm performance and ESG disclosure.