Corporate governance and ESG research landscape: A bibliometric study of global knowledge networks

Abstract

This study conducts a bibliometric meta-analysis to map the global intellectual structure and research evolution at the intersection of Corporate Governance (CG) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices. Based on 813 Scopus-indexed publications (1986–2025), the dataset includes 47,812 citations, an h-index of 102, and contributions from more than 3,800 authors across 71 countries. Data were cleaned and standardized using OpenRefine and biblioMagika®, while VOSviewer facilitated science mapping through co-authorship, keyword co-occurrence, and bibliographic coupling. The analysis identifies four dominant thematic clusters: (1) board characteristics and ESG disclosure, (2) governance frameworks and regulatory compliance, (3) ESG integration and financial performance, and (4) regional and sectoral ESG governance practices. Emerging themes include cross-border collaboration, ESG integration into corporate risk oversight, and digital reporting analytics. Publication trends reveal accelerated growth after 2015, reflecting strengthened regulatory frameworks and growing investor demand for ESG-aligned governance. Geospatial mapping highlights the United States, United Kingdom, China, and the European Union as leading contributors, with increasing participation from Southeast Asia and Latin America. Co-authorship networks indicate moderately dense collaboration anchored by influential global hubs. Overall, the study offers a comprehensive, data-driven synthesis of the CG–ESG domain, providing actionable insights for scholars, policymakers, and institutional stakeholders advancing sustainable governance in a complex global environment.