Sustainability, digitalization, environmental practices and innovation as determinants of SME competitiveness: Bibliometric analysis and emerging research trends

Purpose This paper aims to perform a bibliometric analysis on the main determinants of competitiveness in SMEs, considering publications between 1998 and 2024, obtaining information on publications in the fields related to the variables from the Web of Science database, with the aim of analyzing through a timeline the behavior of the factors related to competitiveness and the connections with various topics. Design/methodology/approach The study explores 2,037 publications linked to social, political, business and economic topics. VOSviewer software was used for the construction and analysis of more in-depth bibliometric networks, achieving the grouping of results by area, author and country. Findings The results show the growth of the scientific production of the study variables, and five clusters were identified, which expose the main research topics in trend. Practical implications That involves challenging implications for managers as well as for policy-makers. Originality/value The findings show SME competitiveness is closely linked to the integration of sustainability, digital transformation, environmental practices and technological innovation, managers and policy managers need to embrace this comprehensive strategic approach to really achieve the desired goal of resilience. However, it is necessary to overcome external and internal obstacles to really achieve a successful implementation. This systematic analysis aims to provide precise results on the trends and research gaps of the studied variables, which can serve as guidance for future research.