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Mapping the Landscape of Sustainability Reporting: A Bibliometric Analysis Across ESG, Circular Economy, and Integrated Reporting with Sectoral Perspectives

Author

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  • Radosveta Krasteva-Hristova

    (Department of Accounting, Tsenov Academy of Economics, 5250 Svishtov, Bulgaria)

  • Diana Papradanova

    (Department of Accounting, Tsenov Academy of Economics, 5250 Svishtov, Bulgaria)

  • Ventsislav Vechev

    (Department of Accounting, Tsenov Academy of Economics, 5250 Svishtov, Bulgaria)

Abstract

Sustainability reporting has evolved into a multidimensional field encompassing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosure, integrated reporting (IR), and circular economy (CE) practices. This study aims to map the intellectual and thematic landscape of sustainability reporting research over the past decade, with a focus on sectoral differentiation. Drawing on bibliometric analysis of 1611 scientific articles indexed in Scopus, this research applies co-word analysis, thematic mapping, and bibliographic coupling to identify prevailing trends, conceptual clusters, and knowledge gaps. The results reveal a clear progression from fragmented debates toward a more integrated discourse combining ESG, IR, and CE frameworks. In the real economy, sustainability reporting demonstrates a mature operational focus, supported by standardized frameworks and extensive empirical evidence. In contrast, the banking sector exhibits emerging engagement with sustainability disclosure, while the public sector remains at an earlier stage of conceptual and practical development. Despite the increasing convergence of research streams, gaps persist in linking reporting practices to tangible sustainability outcomes, integrating digital innovations, and addressing social dimensions of circularity. This study concludes that further interdisciplinary and sector-specific research is essential to advance credible, comparable, and decision-useful reporting practices capable of supporting the transition toward sustainable and circular business models.

Suggested Citation

  • Radosveta Krasteva-Hristova & Diana Papradanova & Ventsislav Vechev, 2025. "Mapping the Landscape of Sustainability Reporting: A Bibliometric Analysis Across ESG, Circular Economy, and Integrated Reporting with Sectoral Perspectives," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-31, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jjrfmx:v:18:y:2025:i:8:p:416-:d:1711328
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tsang, Albert & Frost, Tracie & Cao, Huijuan, 2023. "Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosure: A literature review," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(1).
    2. Gunnar Friede & Timo Busch & Alexander Bassen, 2015. "ESG and financial performance: aggregated evidence from more than 2000 empirical studies," Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(4), pages 210-233, October.
    3. Muhammad Sani Khamisu & Ratna Achuta Paluri & Vandana Sonwaney, 2024. "Environmental social and governance (ESG) disclosure motives for environmentally sensitive industry: an emerging economy perspective," Cogent Business & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(1), pages 2322027-232, December.
    4. Nadezhda Blagoeva & Vanya Georgieva & Delyana Dimova, 2023. "Relationship between GDP and Municipal Waste: Regional Disparities and Implication for Waste Management Policies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-23, October.
    5. Biser Krastev & Radosveta Krasteva-Hristova, 2024. "Challenges and Trends in Green Finance in the Context of Sustainable Development—A Bibliometric Analysis," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-20, July.
    6. Marcus Linder & Mats Williander, 2017. "Circular Business Model Innovation: Inherent Uncertainties," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(2), pages 182-196, February.
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