B‐Corp Certification: Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda

This paper aims to study the adoption and impact of B‐Corp certification by systematically reviewing key papers on this topic published in peer‐reviewed journals from 2006 to 2024. The paper proposes a conceptual framework that provides a comprehensive overview of research themes, subdivided into five broad research focuses: drivers and enablers for organisations seeking certification, barriers they encounter, implementation issues of B‐Corp certification and the outcomes achieved post‐certification. The study offers a thorough overview of the academic literature on B‐Corp certification, laying a strong foundation for future research on the subject. The literature reveals similarities in objectives, approaches and methods, often yielding overly optimistic results that fail to capture the complex impact of B‐Corp certification. A range of research opportunities is presented, establishing a research agenda to guide future studies in the field. The findings can support decision‐making regarding the adoption and renewal of certification by evaluating its cost–benefit. Policymakers can utilise this comprehensive overview of knowledge to inform their decisions on regulatory actions.