Environmental Management and Financial Performance: A Bibliometric Mapping of 2000-2024

Abstract

Abstract:

This article presents an in-depth bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature examining the relationship between environmental management and firms' financial performance over the period 2000–2024. Based on a corpus of publications retrieved from leading international databases (Dimensions AI, Scopus, Web of Science, Cairn, and IMIST), the study uses scientific-impact indicators (RCR, FCR, citations) and mapping tools (Bibliometrix and VOSviewer) to explore the dynamics, structure, and thematic evolution of this research field. The results reveal sustained growth in publications after 2015, reflecting a growing consensus on the link between sustainability, competitiveness, and profitability. Co-occurrence and co-citation analyses highlight four major thematic clusters: (1) ISO 14001 certification and eco-management practices, (2) green innovation and sustainable value creation, (3) non-financial reporting and market performance, and (4) the mediating role of organizational factors such as firm size, industry sector, and capital intensity. Despite this growing maturity, the field remains dominated by studies from industrialized countries, with limited representation of research from the Global South. The study concludes with an integrative research agenda inviting empirical testing of models linking environmental practices, competitive advantage, and financial performance in emerging economy contexts.

Keywords: Environmental management, financial performance, Sustainable development, ISO 14001, Bibliometric analysis.