A bibliometric analysis of ESG in Islamic banks: mapping current trends and projecting future research direction

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore the current trends in the literature about environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices within Islamic banking. It also seeks to identify research gaps and propose directions for future inquiry.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a bibliometric analysis, this study synthesises 753 articles from the Scopus database from 1988 to 2023. The analysis was conducted using the biblioshiny package in RStudio and VOSviewer.

Findings

It reveals an increasing trajectory in the volume of literature on ESG within Islamic banking, with Muslim-majority countries supported by robust regulatory frameworks leading the discourse. Emerging interest from Muslim-minority countries is also noted. This research delineates five principal research streams and proposes future investigative pathways, including the influence of institutional factors on Islamic banks’ ESG practices.

Practical implications

This study offers valuable insights for Islamic bank management and stakeholders, enhancing their comprehension of ESG practices’ current landscape. Additionally, it directs emerging scholars towards novel and pertinent research opportunities within this domain.

Originality/value

Amidst a growing body of work on ESG and Islamic banking, this study is, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, the first bibliometric review dedicated solely to ESG considerations in Islamic banks. It augments the extant literature by adopting a more stringent methodological approach and a rigid quality assessment.