Digitalisation and Firm-Level ESG Performance and Disclosures: A Scientometric Review and Research Agenda

Abstract

Digitalisation and sustainability are not just critical business notions; they are also interdependent drivers of future business success. By employing digital tools, firms can improve their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, increase transparency, and maintain stakeholders' accountability. This increasing significance has elevated the value of examining the impact of digitalisation on firm-level ESG performance and disclosures. This study explores this relationship by synthesising 199 relevant research records published during 2019–2024, obtained from Web of Science and Scopus, using a bibliometric and systematic literature review approach. Our descriptive analysis reveals exponential growth in publications on this relationship during the study period, focusing predominantly on quantitative research leveraging secondary data. Regression analysis emerged as the most popular analytical technique, followed by structural equation modelling. The theoretical foundations of this research are based on the resource-based view and dynamic capabilities view. The Co-occurrence analysis identifies China, Italy, and England as the leading contributors, with research hot spots centring around concepts such as ‘Industry 4.0’, ‘sustainability performance’, ‘sustainable development’, and ‘sustainability reporting’. Co-citation analysis highlights the leading journals, authors, and documents, emphasising the scholarly foundations of this field. Further, thematic analysis uncovers the benefits of digitalisation across four dominant dimensions: sustainability performance, supply chain sustainability, sustainability assessment, and sustainability accounting and reporting. Finally, we discuss critical knowledge gaps and propose future research questions to advance understanding of this emerging field.