Family Firms and Sustainability Factors: Evolution and Research Trends

Given the relevance of family firms around the world, as well as the growing importance and recognition of corporate sustainability, an analysis of sustainability practices in this type of companies is relevant. Based on a bibliometric analysis using the Web of Science database, and considering the period between 2013 and April 2024, the authors look at the past, follow the evolution of scientific production over the last few years, and try to understand the trends of research on these topics. The results show that 38% of the documents included in the sample were published in international co-authorships, with China and South Korea being the most relevant countries. The Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) sustainability practices, their effect on firm value, and the disclosure of sustainability information were the most explored topics. This study provides an overview of the state of the art, contributing to the understanding of the relationship between family businesses and sustainability factors, identifying several avenues for future research, indicating a lack of research for South American and African countries, as well as studies on the impact of family dynamics on the influence of the integration and effectiveness of ESG practices.