Title: Greenwashing in economics, econometrics, and finance: mapping recent trends and future directions through a bibliometric SMART framework

Authors: Raamkhumar M. Harinathan; Vigneshwar Shanmugam; T.N.V.R.L. Swamy; Shloka Singh; Senthilkumar Shanmugam

Addresses: NSB Academy, Bangalore, India; VIT Business School, Vellore Institute of Technology, VIT University, Vellore, India ' Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium ' VIT Business School, Vellore Institute of Technology, VIT University, Vellore, India ' NSB Academy, Bangalore, India ' VIT Business School, Vellore Institute of Technology, VIT University, Vellore, India

Abstract: Greenwashing, defined as the act of conveying a false impression of environmental responsibility, presents growing challenges within economics, econometrics, and finance. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis framed within the specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) approach to examine developments in greenwashing research. Drawing from global publications indexed in Scopus between 2003 and 2024, the study offers both temporal and geographic breadth, capturing contributions from advanced and emerging economies alike. The analysis identifies key trends such as heightened attention to ESG regulation and sustainability reporting, while also revealing persistent gaps, including the limited application of empirical methods and emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence. By highlighting underutilised theoretical frameworks and evolving thematic clusters, this review supports the development of more structured academic inquiry and informed policymaking. The integration of the SMART framework offers a practical lens to organise findings and guide future research agendas in addressing the complexities of greenwashing across economic and financial domains. Unlike earlier reviews, this study combines SMART-driven bibliometric methods with performance analysis, thematic clustering, and global collaboration mapping, offering a more comprehensive and actionable foundation for future scholarly and policy-related efforts.

Keywords: greenwashing; economics; econometrics; finance; bibliometrics; SMART framework.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGE.2025.151324

International Journal of Green Economics, 2025 Vol.19 No.4, pp.409 - 428

Received: 13 Jun 2024
Accepted: 26 Jul 2025
Published online: 23 Jan 2026 *

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