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Mapping the Research Landscape of Sustainable Development Goals in Business, Management, and Accounting: A Bibliometric and Thematic Synthesis

Author

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  • Ajay Chandel
  • Rohail Hassan
  • Anurag Pahuja
  • Sukhbir Sandhu

Abstract

Ongoing research related to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) agenda within business, management, and accounting has garnered significant scholarly attention due to its potential to address global sustainability challenges. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric and content analysis of 1536 research articles published between 2011 and 2024. Using a bibliometric and thematic synthesis, the study unearths thematic trends, top contributors, and active research areas, including energy efficiency, circular business models, and sustainable reporting. The study unearths new empirical outlines in the field, revealing that SDGs such as No Poverty (SDG1), Zero Hunger (SDG2), Good Health and Well‐being (SDG3), and Life Below Water (SDG14) remain under‐researched in business and management scholarship, while SDGs 7, 8, 9, and 17 exhibit the broadest thematic diversity. Following an integrated approach that combines entropy analysis, bibliographic coupling, and content analysis, the study presents one of the first triangulated views of how SDG research in business disciplines has evolved from a CSR‐centric discourse toward multifaceted sustainability frameworks. These findings strengthen the theory and practice by identifying thematic blind spots, emergent multidisciplinary linkages, and implementable research directions for academia, policymakers, and industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Ajay Chandel & Rohail Hassan & Anurag Pahuja & Sukhbir Sandhu, 2026. "Mapping the Research Landscape of Sustainable Development Goals in Business, Management, and Accounting: A Bibliometric and Thematic Synthesis," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(3), pages 4127-4161, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:34:y:2026:i:3:p:4127-4161
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.70515
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