Mapping the Landscape of Responsible Management: A Bibliometric Analysis

This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of responsible management research published between 2020-2024, examining 245 articles from the Web of Science database. Using a combination of citation analysis, network visualization, and keyword mapping, we investigate the field’s current state and emerging trends across multiple disciplines, including business economics, education, social sciences, engineering, and operations research. Our findings reveal three key insights. First, citation patterns show a concentration of influence in a small number of journals, with the International Journal of Management Education emerging as the dominant platform, publishing 25 articles compared to other journals’ five or fewer. Second, network analysis identifies distinct research communities, with established scholars forming central nodes while emerging researchers develop specialized niches, highlighting the field’s collaborative nature and potential for cross-disciplinary integration. Third, keyword analysis uncovers fifteen distinct research streams, from sustainable tourism to AI ethics, clustered around three main themes: leadership and HR practices, CSR and supply chain management, and sustainability education. The analysis reveals both the field’s maturity and its evolving nature, with traditional areas like sustainable tourism and CSR remaining prominent while new themes around AI ethics and ESG integration emerge. Our findings suggest that while responsible management research is addressing crucial business challenges, there is a need for broader dissemination channels and increased cross-disciplinary integration. This study contributes to the understanding of responsible management’s theoretical landscape and provides direction for future research, curriculum development, and practical implementation of responsible management principles in an increasingly complex business environment.