This study aims to map the scientific structure of research on ROI measurement in ESG-related projects and identify the latent dimensions underlying its financial and non-financial value components through bibliometric analysis, bibliographic coupling, and Exploratory Factor Analysis.
This study advances the literature by empirically identifying a multidimensional architecture of sustainable ROI, integrating financial and non-financial value through four latent dimensions and bridging fragmented research streams on ESG, sustainability, project evaluation, governance, investment appraisal, and value creation.
A mixed bibliometric and exploratory approach was employed, combining performance analysis, science mapping, bibliographic coupling, and Exploratory Factor Analysis. A final corpus of 497 articles was analyzed, including 385 empirical studies used to construct the article-by-construct matrix.
The analysis identified four latent dimensions of sustainable ROI: strategic capabilities for sustainable value creation; governance, disclosure, and corporate performance; integrated impact and investment appraisal; and operational optimization and economic value creation, supporting a multidimensional architecture of financial and non-financial value.
The study contributes theoretically by conceptualizing sustainable ROI as a multidimensional value architecture comprising value enablement, governance, appraisal, and realization. Methodologically, it integrates bibliometric mapping, bibliographic coupling, and Exploratory Factor Analysis to uncover latent structures across fragmented research streams.
The findings provide managers with a structured basis for evaluating ESG-related projects beyond conventional financial metrics, integrating economic, environmental, social, and organizational value. This approach can support project selection, resource allocation, investment decisions, and performance monitoring while strengthening value-based sustainability practices.
This study aims to map the scientific structure of research on ROI measurement in ESG-related projects and identify the latent dimensions underlying its financial and non-financial value components through bibliometric analysis, bibliographic coupling, and Exploratory Factor Analysis.
This study advances the literature by empirically identifying a multidimensional architecture of sustainable ROI, integrating financial and non-financial value through four latent dimensions and bridging fragmented research streams on ESG, sustainability, project evaluation, governance, investment appraisal, and value creation.
A mixed bibliometric and exploratory approach was employed, combining performance analysis, science mapping, bibliographic coupling, and Exploratory Factor Analysis. A final corpus of 497 articles was analyzed, including 385 empirical studies used to construct the article-by-construct matrix.
The analysis identified four latent dimensions of sustainable ROI: strategic capabilities for sustainable value creation; governance, disclosure, and corporate performance; integrated impact and investment appraisal; and operational optimization and economic value creation, supporting a multidimensional architecture of financial and non-financial value.
The study contributes theoretically by conceptualizing sustainable ROI as a multidimensional value architecture comprising value enablement, governance, appraisal, and realization. Methodologically, it integrates bibliometric mapping, bibliographic coupling, and Exploratory Factor Analysis to uncover latent structures across fragmented research streams.
The findings provide managers with a structured basis for evaluating ESG-related projects beyond conventional financial metrics, integrating economic, environmental, social, and organizational value. This approach can support project selection, resource allocation, investment decisions, and performance monitoring while strengthening value-based sustainability practices.