Evolution of research trends in bank performance and sustainability: A bibliometric study

Abstract

The study aims to systematically map and synthesize the global research landscape on bank performance by employing a bibliometric approach. Using Biblioshiny as an analytical tool, the study conducts a structured extraction and comprehensive analysis of literature indexed in the scopus database. This process results in a final dataset consisting of 2,636 peer-reviewed articles published between 1990 and 2026. The analysis explores key dimensions, including publication trends, influential countries, leading institutions, prominent authors, and high-impact journals, as well as the intellectual and conceptual structures that underpin bank performance research. The findings reveal that the literature has historically been dominated by contributions from advanced economies with well-established financial systems, particularly the United States and several European countries. However, there has been a noticeable increase in contributions from developing and emerging economies in recent years, reflecting a more geographically diverse research landscape. From a conceptual perspective, bank performance research continues to be strongly anchored in core themes such as profitability, financial performance, efficiency, and corporate governance. Nevertheless, thematic evolution and trend analyses indicate a gradual shift toward more multidimensional perspectives. Recent studies increasingly integrate topics such as risk management, sustainability, digital transformation, financial technology (fintech), and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations. Furthermore, external shocks most notably the COVID-19 pandemic along with rapid digitalization, have significantly influenced both research directions and methodological approaches. Despite the expanding scope of the literature, the study identifies persistent conceptual fragmentation, particularly in efforts to simultaneously integrate governance, risk, technology, and sustainability within unified analytical frameworks. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution, dominant themes, and emerging research opportunities in bank performance studies, offering valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners aiming to foster more resilient, adaptive, and sustainable banking systems.