A Topic Modeling Approach to Analyzing Sustainability Research in Accounting

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Prof., Department of Tourism, Faculty of Tourism, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Accounting, Faculty of Accounting and Financial Sciences, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

10.22059/acctgrev.2025.397353.1009123

Abstract

Objective
The rapid growth and complexity of research at the intersection of accounting and sustainability necessitate a structured approach to synthesizing existing knowledge. Traditional literature reviews, while valuable, are limited in comprehensively mapping this multidisciplinary field and capturing its evolving thematic structures. This study employs Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling to systematically map the intellectual landscape of research at the intersection of accounting and sustainability. It identifies dominant and emerging themes, traces their interconnections and temporal dynamics, and highlights key research clusters and knowledge gaps. The findings provide evidence-based guidance for researchers, propose avenues for future inquiry, and contribute to shaping a more coherent research agenda, while offering practical insights for professionals, managers, and policymakers.
Methods
This research employs a quantitative, computational approach that integrates bibliometric analysis with advanced topic modeling. Data were collected through a systematic search of the Scopus database using comprehensive accounting- and sustainability-related keywords, covering the period from October 1969 to May 2025. The initial search retrieved 9,863 documents. To ensure analytical precision, a multi-stage preprocessing pipeline was applied to abstracts, including tokenization, punctuation removal, lowercasing, and a two-tiered stop-word removal procedure (combining a standard English list with a custom list of common academic terms). After cleaning, the final dataset comprised 8,913 articles, which were modeled using the LDA algorithm. The optimal number of topics (k = 12) was determined based on the highest coherence score (C_v metric). All analyses were conducted in Python using the Gensim and NLTK libraries.
Results
Bibliometric analysis indicates sustained growth in scholarly output, with publication volumes peaking in 2023 and 2024, reflecting heightened academic engagement. Citation peaks in 2009 coincided with the global financial crisis and the emergence of carbon accounting, while 2021 was shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic and accelerated transitions toward a low-carbon economy. LDA topic modeling reveals a rich and interconnected landscape of research, integrating environmental, social, governance, and reporting dimensions. Studies on life cycle assessment and environmental impacts of production connect closely with carbon emissions and climate change mitigation, reflecting efforts to quantify and address the environmental footprint of business operations. Sustainability frameworks and social dimensions intertwine with corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting practices and sustainability reporting and ESG disclosure standards, highlighting the interplay between normative principles and corporate disclosure mechanisms. Meanwhile, research on green supply chains and sustainability challenges in emerging economies underscores sectoral and geographic variations in implementing sustainability practices, bridging operational and contextual insights. Corporate-level investigations, including ESG and corporate financial performance, corporate governance and board composition, and assurance and sustainability in financial institutions, reveal how governance structures and performance metrics intersect with sustainability objectives. At the policy and public sector level, studies on green policies and public sector sustainability illustrate regulatory and institutional influences on sustainable practices. Finally, research on sustainability in business education and tourism signals a growing attention to shaping future professionals’ competencies and extending sustainability considerations beyond traditional corporate contexts. Together, these interconnected themes reveal an evolving field in which conceptual foundations, environmental imperatives, corporate reporting mechanisms, governance structures, and educational initiatives collectively define the trajectory of accounting and sustainability research.
Conclusion
The analysis demonstrates a complex, dynamic, and integrated intellectual landscape, emphasizing the necessity of embedding Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into core business practices. This integration redefines concepts of value, accountability, and long-term viability, while presenting challenges for professional practice and regulatory frameworks. Current research momentum—particularly in ESG and corporate financial performance and sustainability reporting, and ESG disclosure standards—reflects a strong focus on the financial and communicative dimensions of sustainability. Environmental themes, including carbon emissions and life cycle assessment, highlight continued engagement with quantifying impacts, supporting reliable accounting and decision-making. The field’s scope extends beyond corporate boundaries to include sustainable supply chains, emerging economies, public sector sustainability, and the integration of sustainability into business education. Overall, research shows a progression from broad conceptual frameworks toward more granular, sector-specific, and assurance-focused studies, increasingly shaped by regulatory influence, with all themes functioning as an interconnected whole that advances understanding and practice in accounting and sustainability.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

 
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Accounting and Auditing Review
Volume 32, Issue 4
2025
Pages 715-756

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