MSMEs green practices: a bibliometric and systematic review

Abstract This study systematically assesses current research on green practices in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) using a combined bibliometric and systematic review approach. The study provides a comprehensive synthesis that identifies leading trends, contributors, sources, methodologies, principal green practices, and persistent research gaps in MSME sustainability literature. Following the key elements of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, this study screened 508 Scopus records and identified 151 bibliometric and 105 systematic review documents. The findings show that research on MSME green practices has sharply increased after 2020, as sustainability, climate action, and business resilience drive the field. Keyword analysis reveals three themes: strategic and capability-based dimension of MSME green transformation; green practices and sustainability performance; and environmental management and stakeholder support. Emerging economies, especially Indonesia, Malaysia, and India, lead in publication output, but only a small group achieves significant citation impact. Quantitative correlational studies using resource-based and institutional frameworks dominate the literature. Main practices focus on resource efficiency, environmental management, waste reduction, green supply chains, eco-design, innovation, circularity, and organizational strategies. Despite progress, context, sectoral, methodological, and theoretical gaps remain.