Going Green: A Bibliometric Analysis To Foster Ecological Transition Integration Into Firms’ Strategy

The escalating environmental challenges that the world faces today have led to the integration of environmental sustainability with business sustainability, which has resulted in a surge of research exploring the intersection of green technology adoption and firms' strategic decision-making. This study presents an in-depth bibliometric analysis of 799 papers published between 1990 and the present across the domains of economics, management, and environmental sciences. The data for this analysis has been procured from the Clarivate Web of Science (WoS) database by employing a keyword-driven search within its Core Collection. The search criteria involved identifying publications that encompass terms such as "green* tech*", "clean* tech*", or "sustain* tech*" in conjunction with either "business* model*" or "strateg*". By utilizing VOSviewer software, the study conducted co-citation, co-occurrence, and bibliographic coupling analyses to examine the evolving landscape of sustainable management and strategy. The study aimed to identify prominent trends, research gaps, and potential avenues for future investigation. The findings reveal that the research area is relatively new, having emerged just three decades ago, and is primarily driven by environmental scientists and engineers responsible for developing green technologies. However, business and management-related publications account for only 35% of the total sample, indicating enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing need. Early research focused on understanding the rationale and implications of incorporating green technologies into established industries and sectors, emphasizing competitiveness, innovation, and global action, while also considering policy frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and risk management. In recent years, the literature has witnessed a surge of studies centered on novel technologies and strategies for sustainable management, such as circular economy, renewable energy, eco-efficiency, and corporate social responsibility. However, the rate of knowledge generation seems to be outpacing the managerial side, highlighting a potential gap in the practical implementation of these findings. This study contributes to the literature by offering a comprehensive view of the current state-of-the-art in sustainable management and strategy, emphasizing the importance of fostering stronger synergies across disciplines for a successful ecological transition. Furthermore, the analysis underscores the need for a collaborative approach that brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to bridge the gap between theoretical advancements and practical implementation. Encouraging cross-disciplinary research and dialogue can facilitate the development of innovative business models and strategies, driving the ecological transition vital for our planet’s future. This collaboration should also involve industry leaders, non-governmental organizations, and financial institutions to address barriers to adoption and create incentives for sustainable business practices. In conclusion, this bibliometric analysis highlights the evolution of research at the nexus of sustainable technologies and firms' strategies, indicating a need for interdisciplinary collaboration, practical application of knowledge, effective policymaking, and a holistic approach that includes multiple stakeholders. By bridging the gap between research and practice, we can enable the widespread adoption of green technologies and accelerate the ecological transition that is crucial for ensuring a sustainable future for businesses, society, and the environment.