Sustainability reporting and electric utilities: A bibliometric analysis

Electric utilities play a pivotal and indispensable role in facilitating the transition towards a more sustainable planet. However, it is observed that only a limited number of electric utilities have undertaken the voluntary disclosure of their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) indicators. Consequently, this situation has spurred significant academic interest, prompting scholars to initiate studies aimed at comprehending the primary implications associated with the adoption of accountability technologies by electric utilities. In light of this compelling evidence, the present article endeavors to conduct a systematic and rigorous analysis of the scholarly landscape through the application of bibliometric methods. The key outcome is the identification of three principal research areas: (i) environmental management, represented by the “green cluster,” (ii) corporate social responsibility, represented by the “blue cluster,” and (iii) accountability strategies, represented by the “red cluster.” Each of these areas offers unique insights into the efforts of electric utilities to promote and adhere to sustainable operational practices.