Navigating the blue economy: Challenges, governance, and pathways for enterprises

Despite growing attention to the blue economy, gaps remain in understanding its barriers and sustainability implications. This study explores its evolving landscape, assessing its potential to address global and regional challenges. It also develops a comprehensive governance framework for the blue economy. The study utilized Scopus, a leading scientific database, to analyze publications from 2011 to 2024. The selection of articles adhered to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Biblioshiny (R Studio 4.2.0) facilitated bibliometric analysis, identified the most influential articles, journals, authors, and countries contributing to blue economy research. The systematic literature review identified challenges hindering its implementation. Additionally, a blue economy governance framework was proposed for enterprises to address these challenges. The findings offer practical implications for policymakers, enterprises, and corporate leaders, suggesting actionable strategies to overcome barriers, foster collaboration, and ensure the long-term success of the blue economy.