DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.180535.2 ISSN: 2046-1402

Mapping the Global Landscape of Sustainable Venture Capital: A Bibliometric Analysis of Research Evolution  and Collaboration Networks

Hasni Dyah Kurniawati, Saefudin Saefudin, Fernando J Parera, Nurlyana Puspitasari, Florentina Ika Krisna Puspitasari, Nurul Fatha Rani, Dhiny Diyah Pradipta
Show PDF Cite
Research background In recent decades, venture capital (VC) has increasingly incorporated sustainability principles, reflecting the global shift toward environmentally and socially responsible investment. The alignment of VC with sustainability goals responds to the climate crisis, technological transformation, and social expectations for ethical finance. However, research on the VC–sustainability nexus remains fragmented across disciplines, requiring systematic mapping to clarify key trends and research gaps. This study aims to map the global evolution of VC research within the context of sustainability. It identifies publication trends, collaboration patterns, main thematic clusters, and emerging research areas to provide an integrated understanding of this growing field. Methods A mixed-methods bibliometric analysis was conducted using data retrieved from the Scopus database for the period 2002–2025. Analytical tools including RStudio and VOSviewer were applied to examine publication dynamics, co-authorship networks, and conceptual structures. The SPAR-4-SLR protocol was adopted to ensure methodological transparency and rigor. Discussion Results show that international collaboration—particularly among China, the United States, and the United Kingdom—drives sustainable innovation in the VC ecosystem. Three main clusters were identified: the theoretical evolution of VC, long-term policy and economic frameworks, and VC’s role in green entrepreneurship and sustainable technology. Research on emerging themes such as decentralized finance (DeFi), machine learning, and risk modeling remains limited. This study adds value by offering a systematic overview of the intellectual landscape and highlighting future research directions to strengthen VC’s contribution to global sustainability.

More from our Archive