An ESG based smart buildings assessment framework: A bibliometric and conceptual analysis in the Malaysian context

Integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles into "smart building" development represents a critical step toward sustainable urbanization. This study aims to develop a comprehensive ESG-based assessment framework for smart buildings, specifically within the Malaysian context. To identify key themes, research trends and interdisciplinary relationships, the researchers conducted a bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer, focusing on the co-occurrence of keywords related to smart buildings, sustainability and ESG elements. Findings showed that concepts including smart building, sustainability and governance are fundamental to the dialogue, underscoring the advancing importance of smart infrastructure in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Rather than employing a standard systematic review, this study adopts a bibliometric technique that visually and quantitatively illustrates the research landscape, offering a comprehensive view of scholarly activity over the previous decade. This study systematically developed a conceptual model, drawing on bibliometric findings to integrate ESG elements into "smart building" assessment. The environmental dimension emphasizes resource efficiency and renewable energy use. The social dimension prioritizes occupant well-being, inclusivity and health. While the governance dimension addresses regulatory compliance, transparency and digital ethics. While regulatory compliance, transparency and digital ethics adressed in governance dimension. This framework enhances sustainable building practices towards national agenda for smart city development and offers a fundamental framework for future smart building.