A scientometric analysis of anti-corruption disclosure and corporate governance: an agenda for future research

Purpose This study aims to understand the link between board characteristics, sustainability, governance and global anti-corruption disclosure (ACD) needs. Design/methodology/approach The authors perform a bibliometric study using the data of academic papers about ACD from Web of Science (WoS). Figures are produced using VOSviewer, an open-source bibliometric analytics program. Findings The study identifies factors influencing corruption and ACD in companies and institutions. Data analysis reveals key themes in the literature, offering insights into potential future research topics. Research limitations/implications The study only used English-language documents and WoS databases. Future research should include other languages and databases like Scopus, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar for a broader view of ACD-corporate governance (CG) literature. Practical implications The authors created an agenda that blends theory and policy, promoting transparency for long-term value and innovation. It identifies future research opportunities and stresses the importance of ongoing bibliometric studies to track progress and academic trends. Originality/value This study offers an original, quantitative map of ACD-CG research using bibliometric analysis. Unlike traditional reviews, it uncovers hidden patterns, collaboration networks and emerging trends within the field. By identifying key gaps and promising areas for future inquiry, this work provides a valuable roadmap for researchers and policymakers seeking to advance corporate transparency.