Green knowledge management: a bibliometric analysis, research trends and future directions

Abstract

Purpose Green knowledge management (GKM) has become a critical factor for modern organizations, offering a multifaceted approach to enhancing business operations while promoting environmental sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature and explore how GKM helps companies reduce their ecological footprint by digitalizing processes and minimizing physical storage needs, thus aligning with growing expectations for corporate environmental responsibility. The necessity for conducting a GKM review is underscored by the increasing recognition of sustainability, environmental performance and as a critical component of organizational corporate success in the contemporary business landscape. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of 994 papers related to GKM from 2005 until August 2024. Findings Over the 20 years of research on GKM, this bibliometric analysis drew the interlinked relationships between main theme of KM in the context of sustainable practices, processes, social and related theories. This study identifies green innovation, digital transformation, green and lean supply chains, leadership and technology tools. Future research can explore themes such as green and lean processes, barriers and enablers, role of leadership and ambidexterity in green supply chain integration using different theoretical lenses. Research limitations/implications Although the findings of this study are important to GKM research, there are a number of limitations to this investigation. The research database used exclusively was the Web of Science and Scopus, which contained the indexed papers. Future investigations may draw from various databases, such as EBSCO and Google Scholar. Additionally, the use of topic modelling and other artificial intelligence frameworks could enhance research analysis. Subsequently, research papers may expand their scope to encompass conference papers, books and book chapters, in addition to articles. Practical implications This review gives a holistic understanding of GKM practices across various sectors which not only enhances organizational performance but also contributes to broader environmental goals. This study offers an understanding on GKM on holistic approach that combines total quality management (TQM), absorptive capacity and collaborative frameworks to foster innovation and sustainability. Originality/value It is evident from the review that research in GKM is evolving gaining momentum. This review provides a comprehensive understanding of the GKM literature, from its earliest forms of basic concepts aligned with the sustainability and progressing more into the concepts of GKM adoption for green innovation by highlighting multiple theories, factors and gaps in the studies.