Framing evolution and knowledge domain visualization of business ethics research (1975–2019): a large-scale scientometric analysis

This study frames the evolution and landscape of business ethics research over a period of 45 years. A statistical-historical analysis using a scientometric approach is carried out by mapping the main topics, sources, authors, and countries that published research on business ethics. The methodology comprises science mapping utilizing the sequence of bibliometric indicators such as citations and co-citation analysis, and bibliometric coupling. The scientometric analysis covers different dimensions and mapping of science is carried out through the lens of statistical software tool R-package and VOSviewer. We presented key contents through conceptual and intellectual structures by using text mining procedures. On a sample of 5985 business ethics studies, we applied the combination of bibliometric analysis derived from Scopus database (1975–2019).In publications noticeable leading countries are USA and UK, while at a regional level most prolific is Europe. Journal of Business Ethics, Business Ethics Quarterly and Business and Society Review are the most influential journals in the field. The study provides a valuable instant snapshot of the business ethics knowledge domain. Practical implications are recognized by plotting the progression of business ethics research with the provision of cutting-edge assessment in the state of art business ethics research field. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.