Analytical Mapping of Critical Factors Influencing Corporate Sustainability: A Network Perspective

Introduction: This study identifies and maps the critical factors influencing corporate sustainability by examining its intellectual, thematic, and social evolution within academic literature. It particularly emphasises the role of environmental, social, economic, and governance (ESG) dimensions in shaping corporate sustainability discourse. Method: A bibliometric and network-based analysis was conducted on 1,139 academic articles published between 2003 and 2025, sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection. The analysis utilised the R-based Biblioshiny interface from the bibliometric package to perform co-occurrence mapping, thematic clustering, trend analysis, and collaboration network visualisation. Results or Findings: The results show a consistent rise in scholarly output on corporate sustainability, with an annual publication growth rate of 17.13%. Thematic mapping identified key clusters centred on "performance," "management," and "governance." Recent trends show a growing focus on themes such as transparency, ESG reporting, and stakeholder equity. A geographical analysis revealed dominance by North American and European institutions while increasing contributions from developing countries reflect a broader global engagement. Discussion or Conclusion: Corporate sustainability has transformed from a normative concern into a multidimensional strategic priority within organisational and academic spheres. This study offers a comprehensive analytical foundation for future research and supports efforts by scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to integrate ESG principles into sustainable corporate governance.