Exploring environmental, social and governance research in the wake of COVID-19: a bibliometric analysis of current trends and recommendations for future research

This study offers a systematic review of the evolution and characteristics of research on corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance, with a particular focus on changes influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. Using bibliometric analysis, this research examines 340 scholarly articles on ESG performance published between 2006 and January 2023, documenting the expansion of ESG research in the post-COVID-19 era. Our findings identify key ESG themes, including social responsibility, sustainability reporting, corporate strategy, financial performance, and environmental performance. The study introduces a theoretical framework rooted in the resource-based view, legitimacy, institutional, and stakeholder theories to explore the financial impacts of ESG implementations during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the essential roles played by influential journals, authors, and countries such as China, the USA, and Italy, demonstrating the interdisciplinary growth of ESG studies. Additionally, the research underscores the pandemic's impact on ESG practices, stressing the necessity for standardized ESG metrics and the crucial role of regulatory frameworks. The study recommends adapting ESG frameworks to align with post-pandemic realities and calls for the inclusion of both qualitative research and a global perspective in future ESG research.