Social responsibility and the circular economy: a bibliometric exploration of strategic convergence in corporate sustainability

Tomás Leandro Zapata Soto, Catalina Leal Leal and Verónica Peña Acuña
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Tomás Leandro Zapata Soto: Universidad del Bío-Bío
Catalina Leal Leal: Universidad del Bío-Bío
Verónica Peña Acuña: Universidad del Bío-Bío

Revista Tendencias, 2026, vol. 27, issue 01, 178-206

Abstract: Introduction: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Circular Economy (CE) have established themselves as key approaches to organizational sustainability; however, the literature still presents fragmentation regarding their interrelationship. Objective: To analyze scientific output linking CSR and CE, identifying trends, actors, and gaps through bibliometric analysis. Methodology: A quantitative approach was applied to 221 articles indexed in Web of Science, using the VOSviewer and Bibliometrix tools to map co-authorship, co-citation, and keyword networks. Results: There has been sustained increase in publications since 2017, with Italy, China, and Spain leading the way. The Journal of Cleaner Production and Sustainability account for the highest productivity. The dominant themes are environmental management, innovation, and circular models. Discussion: The literature reflects progress toward CSR-CE convergence, although conceptual, methodological, and geographical gaps remain. Organizational barriers and the need to integrate financial and non-financial indicators are identified. Conclusions: It is essential to promote comparative end empirical studies, especially in Latin America, that incorporate common metrics and interdisciplinary approaches to strengthen the transition to sustainable business models.

Keywords: bibliometrics; sustainable development; companies; social responsibility; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A12 D78 D85 M14 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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https://revistas.udenar.edu.co/index.php/rtend/article/view/10001/10897

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:col:000520:022235

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