Factors influencing ESG performance: A bibliometric analysis, systematic literature review, and future research directions

– This study embarks on a comprehensive journey through the factors influencing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance by employing a two-fold approach: a bibliometric analysis and a systematic literature review. Scopus, a prominent scientific database, was utilized to examine publications spanning the years 2014–2023. The article selection process followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Biblioshiny, R Studio software, version 4.2.0, was used for bibliometric analysis. – Bibliometric analysis identified the most influential articles, journals, countries, authors, and themes in the field. The systematic literature review established seven key themes as the fundamental factors influencing ESG performance. Moreover, future research directions were suggested and discussed in this article. – The findings offer valuable guidance to the academic community, industry practitioners, and policymakers for real-world applications.