Assessing Sustainability Disclosure Trends in State-Owned Enterprises:A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Sustainability disclosure is increasingly important as stakeholders demand transparency in organizations' environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. State-owned enterprises (SOEs), particularly in developing countries, face distinct challenges in sustainability reporting due to governance structures and political influences. Despite their significant role in many economies, the quality and extent of SOE disclosures remain underexplored. This study reviews 138 journal articles from 1991 to 2021, examining sustainability disclosures in SOEs using bibliometric analysis via the biblioshiny interface. Key sources, authors, countries, and research themes were identified, with core publications categorized through Bradford’s Law. The findings show a growing emphasis on ESG metrics, corporate governance, and environmental responsibility. The Journal of Cleaner Production and Meditari Accountancy Research were identified as the most impactful journals. The USA leads in publication output, while Spain has the highest citation impact. The study also reveals research gaps, such as the need for sector-specific studies and further exploration into the alignment between reported sustainability efforts and actual practices. This research provides valuable insights for policymakers and researchers, offering a roadmap for future studies on SOE sustainability disclosures.