Mapping Corporate Social Responsibility in Family Firms: A Bibliometric Analysis (1990–2024)

Abstract

This bibliometric analysis investigates the evolution and current state of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) research within family enterprises. Despite the growing body of literature, gaps remain in understanding how contextual differences shape CSR in family firms, particularly in underrepresented regions such as Asia and Africa. Moreover, limited attention has been given to emerging factors like technological innovation and their implications for CSR implementation. To address these gaps, this study systematically analyzes 275 articles published between 1990 and 2024 in the Scopus database, aiming to answer three key research questions: (1) How has the scholarly discourse on CSR in family businesses evolved over time? (2) What are the dominant theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches in this field? (3) What are the primary collaboration networks and intellectual structures shaping this research domain? For the first research question, the analysis shows that publications on CSR in family businesses have increased substantially over time, with influential works such as Dyer and Whetten (2006) and Campopiano and De Massis (2015) laying the foundation of the field. Much of the early discourse centered on socioemotional wealth (SEW), while more recent studies have expanded to themes of sustainability, legitimacy, and regional contexts. However, contributions from underrepresented regions such as Asia and Africa remain limited. With regard to the second research question, the findings indicate that SEW and stakeholder theory are the dominant theoretical frameworks, reflecting the balance between financial and non-financial goals in family firms. Quantitative methods remain the primary research approach, often supported by bibliometric and secondary data analyses. For the third research question, the analysis highlights well-established collaboration networks concentrated in Europe and North America, particularly among scholars such as De Massis, Campopiano, and García-Sánchez. These networks have contributed significantly to the intellectual structure of the field, but cross-regional collaboration remains weak. Limited contributions from developing economies underline the need to broaden participation to capture more diverse perspectives. These findings offer useful perspectives for scholars and practitioners by identifying research gaps and future directions, particularly regarding technology innovation's impact on CSR and varied socio-cultural contexts of family enterprises.