IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/snbeco/v5y2025i8d10.1007_s43546-025-00875-y.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Exploring the triad: intellectual capital, performance, and sustainability through bibliometric analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Umer Aziz

    (University of Kashmir)

  • Tariq Ahmad Lone

    (University of Kashmir)

  • Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi

    (University of Kashmir)

Abstract

This study conducts a bibliometric analysis at the intersection of intellectual capital, performance, and sustainability (hereafter referred to as the triad), marking the first comprehensive bibliometric examination of these interconnected concepts. Although the link between intellectual capital and performance has been extensively studied, its integration with sustainability remains underexplored. It is increasingly vital to address global calls for sustainable practices that enhance organizational performance through intellectual capital management. The analysis draws on 114 scholarly articles indexed in two prominent databases, utilizing the Biblioshiny interface of R Studio, spanning from 1997 to September 2024. This triad research represents an emerging field with growing global interest. Italy and Malaysia have been pivotal hubs for this research, with the Journal of Intellectual Capital leading in disseminating the triad research. Trend topics and thematic maps outline the trajectory for future studies, offering critical insights for advancing the field. The findings underscore the need for deeper integration of sustainability practices into intellectual capital frameworks to optimize performance outcomes, contributing to scholarly and practical discourses. By addressing a significant gap in the literature, this bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive view of the interrelationships among these vital concepts and offers valuable directions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Umer Aziz & Tariq Ahmad Lone & Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi, 2025. "Exploring the triad: intellectual capital, performance, and sustainability through bibliometric analysis," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 5(8), pages 1-30, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:snbeco:v:5:y:2025:i:8:d:10.1007_s43546-025-00875-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s43546-025-00875-y
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s43546-025-00875-y
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s43546-025-00875-y?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Donthu, Naveen & Kumar, Satish & Mukherjee, Debmalya & Pandey, Nitesh & Lim, Weng Marc, 2021. "How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 285-296.
    2. Aria, Massimo & Cuccurullo, Corrado, 2017. "bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis," Journal of Informetrics, Elsevier, vol. 11(4), pages 959-975.
    3. Hayat Khan & Liu Weili & Itbar Khan, 2022. "Environmental innovation, trade openness and quality institutions: an integrated investigation about environmental sustainability," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(3), pages 3832-3862, March.
    4. Steve Evans & Doroteya Vladimirova & Maria Holgado & Kirsten Van Fossen & Miying Yang & Elisabete A. Silva & Claire Y. Barlow, 2017. "Business Model Innovation for Sustainability: Towards a Unified Perspective for Creation of Sustainable Business Models," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(5), pages 597-608, July.
    5. Yu-Shan Chen, 2008. "The Positive Effect of Green Intellectual Capital on Competitive Advantages of Firms," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 77(3), pages 271-286, February.
    6. Hans B. Christensen & Luzi Hail & Christian Leuz, 2021. "Mandatory CSR and sustainability reporting: economic analysis and literature review," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 26(3), pages 1176-1248, September.
    7. Guthrie, James & Ricceri, Federica & Dumay, John, 2012. "Reflections and projections: A decade of Intellectual Capital Accounting Research," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 44(2), pages 68-82.
    8. Christiane Bode & Jasjit Singh & Michelle Rogan, 2015. "Corporate Social Initiatives and Employee Retention," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 26(6), pages 1702-1720, December.
    9. Rey-Martí, Andrea & Ribeiro-Soriano, Domingo & Palacios-Marqués, Daniel, 2016. "A bibliometric analysis of social entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(5), pages 1651-1655.
    10. Hongxing Yao & Muhammad Haris & Gulzara Tariq & Hafiz Mustansar Javaid & Muhammad Aamir Shafique Khan, 2019. "Intellectual Capital, Profitability, and Productivity: Evidence from Pakistani Financial Institutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-30, July.
    11. Vo, Duc, 2018. "Should Bankers Be Concerned with Intellectual Capital? A Study of the Thai Banking Sector," MPRA Paper 103275, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Roland Zinkernagel & James Evans & Lena Neij, 2018. "Applying the SDGs to Cities: Business as Usual or a New Dawn?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-18, September.
    13. Albert Z Zhou & Dieter Fink, 2003. "Knowledge management and intellectual capital: an empirical examination of current practice in Australia," Knowledge Management Research & Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 1(2), pages 86-94, December.
    14. Muhammad Farrukh & Fanchen Meng & Ali Raza & Muhammad Sohail Tahir, 2020. "Twenty‐seven years of Sustainable Development Journal: A bibliometric analysis," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(6), pages 1725-1737, November.
    15. Jian Xu & Binghan Wang, 2018. "Intellectual Capital, Financial Performance and Companies’ Sustainable Growth: Evidence from the Korean Manufacturing Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-15, December.
    16. Tobias Hahn & Frank Figge & Ralf Barkemeyer, 2007. "Sustainable Value creation among companies in the manufacturing sector," International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 7(5/6), pages 496-512.
    17. Goss, Allen & Roberts, Gordon S., 2011. "The impact of corporate social responsibility on the cost of bank loans," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 35(7), pages 1794-1810, July.
    18. Frank Figge & Tobias Hahn, 2005. "The Cost of Sustainability Capital and the Creation of Sustainable Value by Companies," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 9(4), pages 47-58, October.
    19. Francesca Bartolacci & Andrea Caputo & Michela Soverchia, 2020. "Sustainability and financial performance of small and medium sized enterprises: A bibliometric and systematic literature review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 1297-1309, March.
    20. Jordi Surroca & Josep A. Tribó & Sandra Waddock, 2010. "Corporate responsibility and financial performance: the role of intangible resources," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(5), pages 463-490, May.
    21. Krishen, Anjala S. & Dwivedi, Yogesh K. & Bindu, N. & Kumar, K. Satheesh, 2021. "A broad overview of interactive digital marketing: A bibliometric network analysis," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 183-195.
    22. Madan Bhasin & Junaid M. Shaikh, 2011. "Intellectual capital disclosures in the annual reports: a comparative study of the Indian and Australian IT-corporations," International Journal of Managerial and Financial Accounting, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 3(4), pages 379-402.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Camelia Oprean-Stan & Sebastian Stan & Vasile Brătian, 2020. "Corporate Sustainability and Intangible Resources Binomial: New Proposal on Intangible Resources Recognition and Evaluation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-23, May.
    2. Assunta Di Vaio & Rohail Hassan & Gabriella D’Amore & Riccardo Tiscini, 2024. "Responsible innovation and ethical corporate behavior in the Asian fashion industry: A systematic literature review and avenues ahead," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 1129-1173, September.
    3. Yuqiu Lu & Guowei Li & Zhe Luo & Muhammad Anwar & Yunju Zhang, 2021. "Does Intellectual Capital Spur Sustainable Competitive Advantage and Sustainable Growth?: A Study of Chinese and Pakistani Firms," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440219, February.
    4. Areeba Khan & Saboohi Nasim, 2025. "Mapping research on the subjective well-being of knowledge workers: a systematic enquiry deploying bibliometrics," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 75(1), pages 911-954, February.
    5. Shome, Samik & Hassan, M. Kabir & Verma, Sushma & Panigrahi, Tushar Ranjan, 2023. "Impact investment for sustainable development: A bibliometric analysis," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 770-800.
    6. María Huertas González-Serrano & Vicente Añó Sanz & Rómulo Jacobo González-García, 2020. "Sustainable Sport Entrepreneurship and Innovation: A Bibliometric Analysis of This Emerging Field of Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-26, June.
    7. Nicolae MĂGDAŞ, 2024. "Perspectives Of Literature'S Focus On Management Accounting Practices," Annales Universitatis Apulensis Series Oeconomica, Faculty of Sciences, "1 Decembrie 1918" University, Alba Iulia, vol. 1(26), pages 1-5.
    8. Md. Sohel Rana & Syed Zabid Hossain, 2023. "Intellectual Capital, Firm Performance, and Sustainable Growth: A Study on DSE-Listed Nonfinancial Companies in Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-23, April.
    9. Nayak, Bishwajit & Bhattacharyya, Som Sekhar & Krishnamoorthy, Bala, 2022. "Exploring the black box of competitive advantage – An integrated bibliometric and chronological literature review approach," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 964-982.
    10. Oğuzhan İrengün, 2025. "A Bibliometric Analysis of Social Entrepreneurship Research: Trends, Patterns, and Future Directions," Istanbul Journal of Economics-Istanbul Iktisat Dergisi, Istanbul University, Faculty of Economics, vol. 75(1), pages 222-245, July.
    11. José Moleiro Martins & Muhammad Asif & Rui Dantas & Muhammad Farrukh Shahzad & Muhammad Shahbaz, 2025. "Ethics in FinTech: a bibliometric analysis of research trends and key contributions," Journal of Financial Services Marketing, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 30(3), pages 1-16, September.
    12. Domitilla Magni & Rosa Palladino & Armando Papa & Patrice Cailleba, 2024. "Exploring the journey of Responsible Business Model Innovation in Asian companies: A review and future research agenda," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 41(3), pages 1031-1060, September.
    13. José Vale & Rafaela Miranda & Graça Azevedo & Maria C. Tavares, 2022. "The Impact of Sustainable Intellectual Capital on Sustainable Performance: A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-17, April.
    14. Bakır, Mahmut & Özdemir, Emircan & Akan, Şahap & Atalık, Özlem, 2022. "A bibliometric analysis of airport service quality," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 104(C).
    15. Francesco Gangi & Dario Salerno & Antonio Meles & Lucia Michela Daniele, 2019. "Do Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance Influence Intellectual Capital Efficiency?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-25, March.
    16. Jian Xu & Muhammad Haris & Hongxing Yao, 2019. "Should Listed Banks Be Concerned with Intellectual Capital in Emerging Asian Markets? A Comparison between China and Pakistan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-23, November.
    17. Aghilasse Kashi & Mohamed Eskandar Shah, 2023. "Bibliometric Review on Sustainable Finance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-30, April.
    18. Prateek Kalia & Dušan Mladenović & à ngel Acevedo-Duque, 2022. "Decoding the Trends and the Emerging Research Directions of Digital Tourism in the Last Three Decades: A Bibliometric Analysis," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, October.
    19. María D. López‐Gamero & Patrocinio Zaragoza‐Sáez & Enrique Claver‐Cortés & José F. Molina‐Azorín, 2011. "Sustainable development and intangibles: building sustainable intellectual capital," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(1), pages 18-37, January.
    20. Shuangqing Sheng & Wei Song & Hua Lian & Lei Ning, 2022. "Review of Urban Land Management Based on Bibliometrics," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-25, November.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:snbeco:v:5:y:2025:i:8:d:10.1007_s43546-025-00875-y. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.