FROM ETHICAL INVESTMENT TO ESG INTEGRATION: BIBLIOMETRIC MAPPING AND IMPLICATIONS FOR FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32332/finansia.v9i2.12149Keywords:
Bibliometrics, ESG, Ethical Investment, Financial PerformanceAbstract
This study addresses the need for a comprehensive synthesis regarding the conceptual evolution from ethical investment to ESG integration within a rapidly growing yet fragmented field. It aims to map the field's thematic evolution and intellectual structure, identify key theoretical mechanisms linking ESG to financial performance, and formulate a future research agenda based on identified literature gaps. An analysis of 534 Scopus-indexed articles (2011–2024) reveals rapid publication growth (averaging 50.66% annually) and increased international collaboration. Findings indicate that the impact of ESG is conditional, heavily dependent on industry context, firm size, and regulations. Furthermore, the study identifies five critical research streams—transparency, risk management, efficiency and innovation, ratings versus reality, and contextual heterogeneity—prioritizing the development of an Islamic ESG framework that integrates Maqasid al-Shariah.
Downloads
References
Alduais, Fahd. “Unravelling The Intertwined Nexus Of Firm Performance, ESG Practices, And Capital Cost In The Chinese Business Landscape.” Cogent Economics & Finance, Vol. 11, No. 2, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2023.2254589.
Amel-Zadeh, Amir., And Serafeim, George. “Why And How Investors Use ESG Information: Evidence From A Global Survey.” SSRN Electronic Journal, Advance Online Publication, 2017. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2925310.
Brogi, Marina., Lagasio, Valentina., And Porretta, Pasqualina. “Be Good To Be Wise: Environmental, Social, And Governance Awareness As A Potential Credit Risk Mitigation Factor.” Journal Of International Financial Management & Accounting, Vol. 33, No. 3, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/jifm.12156.
Chytis, Evangelos., Eriotis, Nikolaos., And Mitroulia, Maria. “ESG In Business Research: A Bibliometric Analysis.” Journal Of Risk And Financial Management, Vol. 17, No. 10, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm17100460.
Contributors, Wikipedia. “Environmental, Social, And Governance.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental%2C_social%2C_and_governance, Retrieved 09, 2026.
———. “Greenhushing.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhushing, Retrieved February 09, 2026.
Council, European Parliament And. "Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 Of 27 November 2019 On Sustainability-Related Disclosures In The Financial Services Sector (Text With EEA Relevance)." Official Journal Of The European Union L 317, (2019). https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2019/2088/oj/eng.
———. Directive (EU) 2022/2464 Of 14 December 2022 Amending Regulation (EU) No 537/2014, Directive 2004/109/EC, Directive 2006/43/EC And Directive 2013/34/EU, As Regards Corporate Sustainability Reporting (Text With EEA Relevance). Official Journal Of The European Union L 322, 2022. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2022/2464/oj/eng.
Denia, Adiva Putri., Sukmadilaga, Citra., And Ghani, Erlane K. “Do Enterprise Risk Management Practices And ESG Performance Influence Firm Value Of Banks? Evidence From ASEAN Countries.” Asian Journal Of Economic Modelling, Vol. 12, No. 1, 2024. https://doi.org/10.55493/5009.v12i1.4985.
European Commission. “Sustainability-Related Disclosure In The Financial Services Sector (SFDR).”https://finance.ec.europa.eu/sustainable-finance/disclosures/sustainability-related-disclosure-financial-services-sector_en, Retieved February 15, 2026.
Financial Stability Board. “2022 TCFD Status Report: Task Force On Climate-Related Financial Disclosures.” https://www.fsb.org/2022/10/2022-tcfd-status-report-task-force-on-climate-related-financial-disclosures/, Retrieved February 15, 2026.
Friede, Gunnar., Busch, Timo., And Bassen, Alexander. “ESG And Financial Performance: Aggregated Evidence From More Than 2000 Empirical Studies.” Journal Of Sustainable Finance & Investment, Vol. 5, No. 4, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1080/20430795.2015.1118917.
Global Sustainable Investment Alliance. "Global Sustainable Investment Review 2022." https://www.gsi-alliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/GSIA-Report-2022.pdf, Retrieved February 09, 2026.
Institute, CFA. “Gaining A Broader Perspective: A Guide To ESG Investment Approaches." https://www.cfainstitute.org/insights/articles/gaining-broader-perspective-guide-to-esg-investment-approaches, Retrieved February 09, 2026.
Lu, Jiayi. “An Example Of Negative Screening Application In ESG Investing.” Highlights In Business, Economics And Management, Vol. 37, 2024. https://doi.org/10.54097/wx4ybx68.
Marie, Mohamed. “Exploring Environmental, Social And Governance Research In The Wake Of COVID‐19: A Bibliometric Analysis Of Current Trends And Recommendations For Future Research.” Corporate Social Responsibility And Environmental Management, Vol. 31, No. 6, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2909.
Mutiara, Indah. “Tantangan Dan Peluang ESG (Environmental, Social, And Governance) Reporting: Analisis Literatur Tentang Peran Akuntansi Dalam Pengukuran Kinerja Berkelanjutan Perusahaan.” Jurnal Relevansi : Ekonomi, Manajemen Dan Bisnis, Vol. 8, No. 1, 2024. https://doi.org/10.61401/relevansi.v8i1.115.
Naeem, Nasruzzaman. “Does ESG Performance Affect The Financial Performance Of Environmentally Sensitive Industries? A Comparison Between Emerging And Developed Markets.” Borsa Istanbul Review, Vol. 22, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bir.2022.11.014.
Nations, United. “Secretary-General Launches ‘Principles For Responsible Investment’ At New York Stock Exchange.” https://press.un.org/en/2006/sg2111.doc.htm, Retrieved 09, 2026.
PwC, PwC. "PwC’s Global Investor Survey 2024." https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/c-suite-insights/global-investor-survey/global-investor-survey-report-2024.pdf, Retrieved February 09, 2026.
Rahmawati, Novita. Bibliometric Analysis: Sustainable Finance Through Environmental, Social, And Governance (ESG) Principles. 2024.
Savio, Riccardo. “A Systematic Literature Review On ESG During The COVID-19 Pandemic.” Sustainability, Vol. 15, No. 3, 2023. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032020.
Sciarelli, Mauro. “Socially Responsible Investment Strategies For The Transition Towards Sustainable Development: The Importance Of Integrating And Communicating ESG.” The TQM Journal, Vol. 33, No. 7, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1108/TQM-08-2020-0180.
Sneideriene, Agne., And Legenzova, Renata. “Greenwashing Prevention In Environmental, Social, And Governance (ESG) Disclosures: A Bibliometric Analysis.” Research In International Business And Finance, Vol. 74, 2025. https://ideas.repec.org//a/eee/riibaf/v74y2025ics0275531924005130.html.
Trinks, Pieter Jan., And Scholtens, Bert. “The Opportunity Cost Of Negative Screening In Socially Responsible Investing.” Journal Of Business Ethics, Vol. 140, No. 2, 2017. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2684-3.
Tripopsakul, Suchart. “ESG Practices, Green Innovation, And Financial Performance: Panel Evidence From ASEAN Firms.” Journal Of Risk And Financial Management, Vol. 18, No. 8, 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm18080467.
Yu, Ellen Pei-Yi., And Luu, Bac Van. “International Variations In ESG Disclosure – Do Cross-Listed Companies Care More?.” International Review Of Financial Analysis, Vol. 75, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2021.101731.
Zarkasih, Aditiya., And Ali, Muhammad Khidhir. Systematic Literature Review: Tren Penelitian Penerapan Prinsip ESG Dalam Praktik Akuntansi. t.t.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Lilis Renfiana, Misnen Ardiansyah- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.




