CORPORATE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND CARBON EMISSIONS: A BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF EMERGING TRENDS

Abstract

Purpose: The study provides the theoretical roots, research trajectories and promising research directions of carbon emission and financial performance relationship. The aim of this study is to deepen understanding of the relationship between carbon performance and the financial Performance of corporate by applying qualitative research approaches. Design/methodology/approach: This study integrates bibliometric analyses, namely co-authorship analysis, co-citation analysis, and keyword co-occurrence analysis and a qualitative review, based on a dataset of 1132 publications retrieved from the SCOPUS database between January 2015 and January 2025. Findings: The findings identify the leading academic authors, institutions, and countries contributing to this field. Results show that interest in the area of carbon emissions and financial performance has significantly increased, particularly after 2019. The study also highlights major research themes and emerging topics, such as carbon risk management, sustainable finance, and carbon disclosure practices. Furthermore, the analysis proposes future research agendas categorized by theoretical perspectives, contextual factors, and methodological approaches. Research implications: The study offers valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and corporate leaders aiming to align financial performance with sustainability goals. It concludes by identifying research gaps and suggesting directions to facilitate the transition toward a more sustainable and low-carbon economy. Practical implications: The results of the study offer insights to practitioners, researchers and academicians regarding scientific development, intricate relationships and the complexities involved in the intersection of carbon performance and financial performance. For corporate leaders, a better understanding of carbon performance and financial markets will contribute to designing policies to set up priorities for countering carbon emissions. Originality/value: This study reviewed 1132 publications at the intersection of Carbon Emission and Corporate Financial Performance research domain in sustainable corporate practice and related fields to identify the theoretical roots, research trajectories and research themes and to propose promising research avenues.