ESG AND BANK PERFORMANCE: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Nurul Nabila Radunia; Nurhafiza Abdul Kader Malim

doi:10.33102/n1nt5b10

Authors

Nurul Nabila Radunia School of Management, Universiti Sains Malaysia., Penang, Malaysia Author
Nurhafiza Abdul Kader Malim School of Management, Universiti Sains Malaysia., Penang, Malaysia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33102/n1nt5b10

Keywords:

ESG, Bank Performance, Bibliometric Analysis, Sustainable Finance, Corporate Governance

Abstract

This study explores research trends and conceptual development at the nexus of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) practices and banking performance. The study employs a bibliometric analysis of 443 papers from the Scopus database (2016–2025) to highlight co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrences, and thematic development. The results show that the number of publications has grown substantially since the COVID-19 pandemic, indicating a move toward Green FinTech and sustainable banking. China and Italy are the top countries for research, while research has expanded from focusing on ESG's profitability to looking at its strategic significance in governance and risk management. Thematic mapping also shows that Digital Transformation is becoming a key theme. This means that the future performance of banks is more to how well ESG disclosure and new technology work together. This study offers new understandings by identifying a dual-driver framework in research leadership, wherein mandatory-driven research is defined by regulatory requirements, while value-driven research in emerging markets is influenced by broader ethical and moral concepts.

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