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.