Mapping the nexus: a bibliometric review of sustainable development goals in finance research

Mohd Thas Thaker, Hassanudin and Sjahrir, Effa Ratna and Wong, Keilliey and Mohd Noor, Mohd Aman (2026) Mapping the nexus: a bibliometric review of sustainable development goals in finance research. AQU Journal of Islamic Economics, 6 (1). pp. 27-56. ISSN 27885542 E-ISSN 27885550

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Abstract

Growing corporate accountability demands, shareholder expectations, and regulatory pressures surrounding Environmental, Sustainability and Governance (ESG) factors have created an urgent need to understand the evolving research landscape in this domain. This study examines the present trends and future directions of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in supporting Sustainable Finance (SF). A bibliometric approach is used to identify key research patterns, major themes, and important indicators related to SDGs and SF. Drawing from 1,693 documents published in SCOPUS-indexed journals during the COVID-19 pandemic period from 2020 to 2023, the analysis was conducted using Biblioshiny and RStudio, incorporating co-citation networks, keyword occurrence maps, thematic maps, and descriptive statistics to identify prolific authors, influential sources, and highly cited countries. The findings reveal two central pillars in evaluating ESG effectiveness, namely SDG achievement and Sustainable Finance stability, with thematic mapping further uncovering basic, motor, niche, and declining research themes that chart a clear roadmap for future research directions. Notably, the COVID-19 era heightened global awareness of preparedness and vigilance toward future threats, reinforcing the urgency of strengthening ESG frameworks in pursuit of SDG objectives supported by stable Sustainable Finance mechanisms. The study offers a holistic evidence-based framework valuable to regulators, investors, and emerging scholars by uniquely mapping the progression from SDG aspirations toward Sustainable Finance realization, drawing exclusively from high-ranking peer-reviewed journal publications and contributing meaningfully to the existing body of literature on sustainable development and ESG research.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	ESG, sustainable development goals, sustainable finance, bibliometric analysis.
Subjects:	BPH Islamic Economics H Social Sciences > HF Commerce H Social Sciences > HG Finance
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Economics and Management Sciences > Department of Economics
Depositing User:	Dr Hassanudin Mohd Thas Thaker
Date Deposited:	08 Jun 2026 11:42
Last Modified:	08 Jun 2026 11:42
Queue Number:	2026-06-Q3661
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/129275

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