Unveiling the Landscape of Sustainability and Earnings Management: A Bibliometric Analysis of Scholarly Research

  • Norazzie Md Zin Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
  • Ridzwana Mohd Said Universiti Putra Malaysia
  • Fakarudin Kamarudin Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)
Keywords: Bibliometric analysis, sustainability, CSR, ESG, earnings management

Abstract

Sustainability practices and reporting provide the necessary information regarding firms' initiatives to balance their ethical and moral behavior in conducting business to align with stakeholders' requirements, and the existence of earnings management could threaten the objectives. These two intertwined concepts need to be understood thoroughly. Notwithstanding the plethora of studies examining the intersection of sustainability and EM, a notable gap exists in exploring research frontiers and the resourcefulness derived from past publications in this domain. Thus, the study aims to perform a bibliometric analysis of documents within this domain and fill the gap that specifically reflects in exploring the research frontiers and resourcefulness from past studies of sustainability and EM. The study conducted a bibliometric analysis of the 282 documents on the Scopus database for the period of 2005 to 2022 for sustainability and EM topics. Advanced tools such as Microsoft Excel to analyze the data, VosViewer, Wordshift, Harzing Publish and Perish for visualization and metric analysis have been used. The results reveal an increasing trend in scholarly interest in this topic. It also elucidates the evolution of language, influential authors, institutions, countries (with the top 3 countries being South Korea, China, and Indonesia), and keyword clusters. The analysis conveys insightful information for future researchers exploring the dynamic landscape of this topic. In conclusion, the study of sustainability and EM is experiencing a growing trajectory from researchers. It is recommended that future studies consider other keywords and use another database

Downloads

References

Adams, C. A., & Abhayawansa, S. (2022). Connecting the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing and calls for ‘harmonisation’ of sustainability reporting. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 82. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpa.2021.102309 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpa.2021.102309

Ahmi, A., & Mohd Nasir, M. H. (2019). Examining the trend of the research on extensible business reporting language (XBRL): A bibliometric review. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 5(2), 1145-1167. https://doi.org/https://ssrn.com/abstract=3839843

Anuar, A., Marwan, N. F., Smith, J., Siriyanun, S., & Sharif, A. (2022). Bibliometric analysis of immigration and environmental degradation: evidence from past decades. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-13. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16470-1 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16470-1

Bae, J., Choi, W., & Lim, J. (2020). Corporate social responsibility: An umbrella or a puddle on a rainy day? Evidence surrounding corporate financial misconduct. European Financial Management, 26(1), 77-117. https://doi.org/ https://doi.org/10.1111/eufm.12235 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/eufm.12235

Bofinger, Y., Heyden, K. J., & Rock, B. (2022). Corporate social responsibility and market efficiency: Evidence from ESG and misvaluation measures. Journal of Banking & Finance, 134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbankfin.2021.106322 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbankfin.2021.106322

Bozzolan, S., Fabrizi, M., Mallin, C. A., & Michelon, G. (2015). Corporate social responsibility and earnings quality: International evidence. The International Journal of Accounting, 50(4), 361-396. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intacc.2015.10.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intacc.2015.10.003

Brundtland, G. H. (1987). Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: Our Common Future. World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED). https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/5987our-common-future.pdf

Chih, H.-L., Shen, C.-H., & Kang, F.-C. (2008). Corporate social responsibility, investor protection, and earnings management: Some international evidence. Journal of Business Ethics, 79, 179-198. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-007-9383-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-007-9383-7

Choi, B. B., Lee, D., & Park, Y. (2013). Corporate social responsibility, corporate governance and earnings quality: Evidence from Korea. Corporate Governance-An International Review, 21(5), 447-467. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/corg.12033 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/corg.12033

Dimitropoulos, P. E. (2020). Corporate social responsibility and earnings management in the EU: a panel data analysis approach. Social Responsibility Journal, 18(1), 68-84. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/srj-04-2020-0156 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-04-2020-0156

Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285-296. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070

Ehsan, S., Nurunnabi, M., Tahir, S., & Hashmi, M. H. (2020). Earnings management: A new paradigm of corporate social responsibility. Business and Society Review, 125(3), 349-369. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/basr.12198 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/basr.12198

Ehsan, S., Tariq, A., Nazir, M. S., Shabbir, M. S., Shabbir, R., Lopez, L. B., & Ullah, W. (2021). Nexus between corporate social responsibility and earnings management: Sustainable or opportunistic. Managerial and Decision Economics, 43(2), 478-495. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/mde.3396 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mde.3396

Gregory, R. P. (2022). ESG activities and firm cash flow. Global Finance Journal, 52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfj.2021.100698 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gfj.2021.100698

Hasan, A., Hussainey, K., & Aly, D. (2022). Determinants of sustainability reporting decision: evidence from Pakistan. Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, 12(1), 214-237. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1080/20430795.2021.1964813 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/20430795.2021.1964813

Hickman, L. E., Iyer, S. R., & Jadiyappa, N. (2021). The effect of voluntary and mandatory corporate social responsibility on earnings management: Evidence from India and the 2% rule. Emerging Markets Review, 46. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ememar.2020.100750 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ememar.2020.100750

Hong, Y. T., & Andersen, M. L. (2011). The relationship between corporate social responsibility and earnings management: An exploratory study. Journal of Business Ethics, 104(4), 461-471. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-0921-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-0921-y

Imoniana, J. O., Soares, R. R., & Domingos, L. C. (2018). A review of sustainability accounting for emission reduction credit and compliance with emission rules in Brazil: A discourse analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 172, 2045-2057. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.217 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.217

Kim, Y., Park, M. S., & Wier, B. (2012). Is earnings quality associated with corporate social responsibility? The Accounting Review, 87(3), 761-796. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2308/accr-10209 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2308/accr-10209

Kumar, S., Sharma, A., Mishra, P., & Kaushik, N. (2023). Corporate social responsibility disclosures and earnings management: a bibliometric analysis. International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, 20(1), 27-51. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1057/s41310-022-00156-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41310-022-00156-2

Kuzey, C., & Uyar, A. (2017). Determinants of sustainability reporting and its impact on firm value: Evidence from the emerging market of Turkey. Journal of Cleaner Production, 143, 27-39. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.153 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.153

Lim, W. M., & Kumar, S. (2023). Guidelines for interpreting the results of bibliometrics analysis: A sense approaching. Global Business and Organizational Excellence. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/joe.22229 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/joe.22229

Martínez-Ferrero, J., Banerjee, S., & García-Sánchez, I. M. (2016). Corporate social responsibility as a strategic shield against costs of earnings management practices. Journal of Business Ethics, 133(2), 305-324. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2399-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2399-x

Martinez-Ferrero, J., Garcia-Sanchez, I. M., & Cuadrado-Ballesteros, B. (2015). Effect of financial reporting quality on sustainability information disclosure. Corporate Responsibility and Environmental Management, 22(1), 45-64. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1330 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1330

Mohammad, W. M. W., & Wasiuzzaman, S. (2021). Environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure, competitive advantage and performance of firms in Malaysia. Cleaner Environmental Systems, 2, 100015. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cesys.2021.100015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cesys.2021.100015

Moher, D., Liberati, A., Tetzlaff, J., Altman, D. G., & Group*, P. (2009). Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: The PRISMA statement. Annals of Internal Medicine, 151(4), 264-269. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135 DOI: https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-151-4-200908180-00135

Mohmed, A., Flynn, A., & Grey, C. (2019). The link between CSR and earnings quality: evidence from Egypt. Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 10(1), 1-20. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/JAEE-10-2018-0109 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JAEE-10-2018-0109

Muliati, M., Mayapada, A. G., & Pattawe, A. (2021). Do corporate social responsibility and investor protection limit earnings management? Evidence from Indonesia and Malaysia. Journal of Accounting and Investment, 22(3), 482-499. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.18196/jai.v22i3.11515 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18196/jai.v22i3.11515

Nguyen, L.-T. (2022). The relationship between corporate sustainability performance and earnings management: evidence from emerging East Asian economies. Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/JFRA-09-2021-0302 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JFRA-09-2021-0302

Prior, D., Surroca, J., & Tribo, J. A. (2008). Are socially responsible managers ethical? Exploring the relationship between earnings management and corporate social responsibility. Corporate Governance-An International Review, 16(3), 160-177. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8683.2008.00678.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8683.2008.00678.x

Scholtens, B., & Kang, F. C. (2013). Corporate social responsibility and earnings management: Evidence from Asian Economies. Corporate Responsibility and Environmental Management, 20(2), 95-112. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1286 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1286

United Nations. (2015). Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/21252030%20Agenda%20for%20Sustainable%20Development%20web.pdf

Wang, X., Cao, F., & Ye, K. T. (2018). Mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Reporting and Financial Reporting Quality: Evidence from a Quasi-Natural Experiment. Journal of Business Ethics, 152(1), 253-274. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3296-2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3296-2

Wong, W. C., Batten, J. A., Ahmad, A. H., Mohamed-Arshad, S. B., Nordin, S., & Adzis, A. A. (2021). Does ESG certification add firm value? Finance Research Letters, 39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2020.101593 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2020.101593

Published
2025-03-05
How to Cite
Md Zin, N., Mohd Said, R., & Kamarudin, F. (2025). Unveiling the Landscape of Sustainability and Earnings Management: A Bibliometric Analysis of Scholarly Research. Information Management and Business Review, 17(1(I), 342-358. https://doi.org/10.22610/imbr.v17i1(I).4245
Section
Research Paper