Unlocking growth: a bibliometric analysis of stakeholder engagement in SMEs

Purpose This study aims to explore the intersection of stakeholder engagement and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While stakeholder engagement has been widely studied in large corporations, its role in SMEs and its impact on resilience and business innovation remain underexplored. Design/methodology/approach A bibliometric-systematic literature review was conducted, analysing 97 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified key thematic clusters, including environmental sustainability, innovation management and collaboration strategies, as critical factors for effective stakeholder engagement in SMEs. Findings The study highlights future research directions, such as stakeholder engagement mechanisms, cross-sector comparisons and technology impact on engagement practices. The findings suggest targeted strategies to optimise stakeholder engagement in SMEs, enhancing their sustainability and competitiveness. Originality/value This study fills a significant gap by linking stakeholder engagement to SMEs, offering a broad picture of the current research and a future agenda that aligns engagement strategies with sustainable business practices.