Contribution of Business Research to Sustainable Development Goals: Bibliometrics and Science Mapping Analysis

Raghu Raman (), Hiran Lathabhai, Santanu Mandal, Chandan Kumar and Prema Nedungadi
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Raghu Raman: Amrita School of Business, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri 690525, India
Hiran Lathabhai: Amrita CREATE, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri 690525, India
Santanu Mandal: Amrita School of Business, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amaravati 522503, India
Chandan Kumar: Amrita School of Computing, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amaravati 522503, India
Prema Nedungadi: Amrita School of Business, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amaravati 522503, India

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-37

Abstract: Despite significant business-related research publications, extant studies are yet to show how well business research directly maps to 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our study uses a qual-quant approach combining the PRISMA framework, performance analysis, and content analysis to find answers to this research gap. Using the Australia Business Deans Council list of 2500+ journals as a proxy for business research during 2016–2022, our study shows that only about 25% of business research is directly mapping to SDGs with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well Being) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) being the most mapped. The most cited journals are the Journal of Cleaner Production , Applied Energy , and the European Journal of Public , which largely focus on SDG 7, SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 3. Top authors focus their research mainly on SDG 7, SDG 13, and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), with few publications dedicated to SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Applied Economics has emerged as the dominant field for SDGs. Further, our study is the first to incorporate social network analysis to understand the interconnected nature of SDGs in the context of business research. This research provides substantial policy insight, particularly insight relevant to the formulation of regulations that promote the alignment of business researchers with SDGs.

Keywords: business research; SDGs; PRISMA; content analysis; performance analysis; citation analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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