Contemporary issues in sustainability accounting: A bibliometric analysis and literature review

Abstract

This study provides an overview of the development and current state of the academic literature on sustainability accounting and its impact on corporate practices. It aims to map intellectual structures, identify thematic trends and research gaps, and propose directions for future studies. Drawing on 628 peer-reviewed articles published between 1992 and 2025, the study employs various bibliometric techniques—including citation and co-occurrence analyses—alongside manual thematic coding. This approach identifies influential constituents (authors, institutions, countries, and journals), maps collaboration networks, and highlights dominant research themes. The results show that while scientific research in sustainability accounting has grown exponentially in recent years, the field remains dominated by a limited number of countries, institutions, and journals. Furthermore, despite the significant impact of sustainability accounting research on corporate alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a persistent gap remains between reporting practices and sustainability-related outcomes. Sustainability accounting has become a strategic activity under intense scrutiny from regulators and investors, indicating that managers should integrate it into governance structures, internal controls, strategic planning, and investment decisions to improve its effectiveness and move beyond "symbolic transparency". Furthermore, firms in less-connected regions should prioritize implementing international reporting frameworks, developing professional networks, and establishing cross-border collaborations to enhance global legitimacy and ensure disclosures provide decision-relevant value rather than mere compliance.