Sustainable Business Practices for SMEs – A Bibliometric Review of the Literature

Gibson Muridzi, Shepherd Dhliwayo

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are vital to economic development, yet their integration of sustainable business practices remains uneven and under-researched. This study aims to map the scholarly landscape of sustainable business practices for SMEs through a dual methodology combining bibliometric analysis and thematic synthesis. It seeks to uncover the evolution of the field, dominant research themes, influential contributors, and existing knowledge gaps. Using the PRISMA protocol, relevant academic literature published between 2015 and 2025 was retrieved from Scopus. The data was analysed using bibliometric and VOSviewer to explore co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence, citation trends, and thematic clusters. Thematic analysis complemented these findings by interpreting the qualitative content of the most cited and thematically relevant papers. Findings indicate growing scholarly interest in SME sustainability, especially following the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key focus areas include environmental management, corporate social responsibility (CSR), energy efficiency, and regulatory compliance. However, critical gaps persist particularly in studies on rural and informal SMEs, sustainability reporting, and digital green innovations. Research outputs are also geographically concentrated in developed countries. The study is grounded in the Triple bottom line (TBL) and institutional theory frameworks, which help explain how SMEs balance economic viability, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship while responding to institutional pressures. This research offers a consolidated overview of the knowledge landscape, highlighting both progress and blind spots in the field. It contributes valuable insights for academics, policymakers, and business leaders seeking to promote sustainable development in the SME sector. The study also underscores the need for more inclusive and context-specific sustainability strategies tailored to diverse ESME ecosystems.