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Gerçek mi İmaj mı? Greenwashing Üzerine Bilimsel Yayınların Bibliyometrik Analizi (2002–2025)

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 2, 108 - 121, 30.11.2025

Abstract

Greenwashing, işletmelerin çevresel sorumluluklarını olduğundan daha olumlu biçimde sunarak paydaşları yanıltmalarını ifade eden önemli bir kavramdır. Çevresel sürdürülebilirlik konusunun küresel gündemde öne çıkmasıyla birlikte, greenwashing uygulamaları hem akademik literatürde hem politika tartışmalarında yoğun biçimde ele alınmaktadır. Bu çalışma, greenwashing konusundaki bilimsel yayınların gelişim eğilimlerini sistematik bir yaklaşımla değerlendirmek amacıyla yürütülmüştür. Analiz kapsamında, Web of Science veri tabanında 2002–2025 yılları arasında yayımlanan toplam 1671 doküman incelenmiştir. Bibliyometrik inceleme, R yazılım ortamında çalışan Biblioshiny paketi kullanılarak gerçekleştirilmiştir. Yıllık ortalama büyüme oranı %28,81 olarak belirlenmiş, bu oran konunun araştırma alanı olarak hızla geliştiğini göstermektedir. Yayın başına ortalama 22,11 atıf alınması, literatürün dikkate değer akademik etki yarattığını ortaya koymaktadır. Elde edilen bulgular, greenwashing literatüründeki temel eğilimleri, anahtar temaları ve yayın dinamiklerini kapsamlı biçimde sunmakta ve gelecekte yürütülecek çalışmalara yol gösterici bir çerçeve sağlamaktadır.

References

  • Akdeniz, D. (2025). Yeşil iknaçalışmalarınayönelikbibliyometrikanaliz. Sürdürülebilirlik, Yönetim& Ekonomi Dergisi, 1(1), 41-57.
  • Andreoli, T., Crespo, N. F., &Minciotti, F. (2017). What has been (short) written about greenwashing? A bibliometric research and critical analysis. Revista Iberoamericana de Estratégia, 16(3), 53–67.
  • Bhullar, P. S., Joshi, M., Sharma, S., Kaur, A., & Phan, D. (2025). Greenwashing and ESG: Bibliometric analysis and future research agenda. Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, 102846.
  • Boiral, O. (2016). Accounting for the unaccountable: Biodiversity reporting and impression management. Journal of business ethics, 135(4), 751-768.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2497-9
  • Dakwah, M. M., & Abdurrahman, A. (2023). Bibliometric analysis of green marketing in Asia (2000-2020). Target: JurnalManajemenBisnis, 5(1), 79-90.
  • De Freitas Netto, S. V., Sobral, M. F. F., Ribeiro, A. R. B., & Soares, G. R. L. (2020). Concepts and forms of greenwashing: A systematic review. Environmental Sciences Europe, 32, Article 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-020-0300-3
  • Delmas, M. A., & Burbano, V. C. (2011). The drivers of greenwashing. California Management Review, 54(1), 64–87. https://doi.org/10.1525/cmr.2011.54.1.64
  • Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to Conduct a Bibliometric Analysis: An Overview and Guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070
  • Font, X., Walmsley, A., Cogotti, S., McCombes, L., & Häusler, N. (2012). Corporate social responsibility: The disclosure–performance gap. Tourism Management, 33(6), 1544–1553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2012.02.012
  • Gupta, H., & Singh, S. K. (2024). Visualization of global research trends on greenwashing. Journal of Business Ethics, 186(2), 345–369.
  • Kim, E. H., & Lyon, T. P. (2015). Greenwash vs. Brownwash: Exaggeration and Undue Modesty in Corporate Sustainability Disclosure. Organization Science, 26(3), 705–723. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2014.0949
  • Kiron, D., Unruh, G., Reeves, M., Kruschwitz, N., Rubel, H., &ZumFelde, A. M. (2017). Corporate sustainability at a crossroads. MIT Sloan Management Review, 58(4).
  • Laufer, W. S. (2003). Social Accountability and Corporate Greenwashing. Journal of Business Ethics, 43, 253–261. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022962719299
  • Lyon, T. P., & Montgomery, A. W. (2015). The means and end of greenwash. Organization & environment, 28(2), 223-249. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026615575332
  • Marquis, C., Toffel, M. W., & Zhou, Y. (2016). Scrutiny, norms, and selective disclosure: A global study of greenwashing. Organization science, 27(2), 483-504.
  • Montero-Navarro, A., González-Torres, T., Rodríguez-Sánchez, J. L., & Gallego-Losada, R. (2021). A bibliometric analysis of greenwashing research: a closer look at agriculture, food industry and food retail. British Food Journal, 123(13), 547-560.
  • Netto, S. V. D., Sobral, M. F. F., Ribeiro, A. R. B., & Soares, G. R. D. (2020). Concepts and forms of greenwashing: A systematic review. Environmental Sciences Europe, 32(19), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-020-0300-3
  • Nyilasy, G., Gangadharbatla, H., & Paladino, A. (2014). Perceived Greenwashing: The Interactive Effects of Green Advertising and Corporate Environmental Performance on Consumer Reactions. Journal of Business Ethics, 125, 693–707. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1944-3
  • Özbingöl, A., & Uğurlu, Y. A. (2024). Yeşil aklamanın bibliyometrik analizi: 2000-2024 Dönemi için Türkiye’deki ulusal eğilimler. Muhasebe ve Finansman Dergisi, (103), 21-50.
  • Parguel, B., Benoît-Moreau, F., &Larceneux, F. (2011). How Sustainability Ratings Might Deter ‘Greenwashing’: A Closer Look at Ethical Corporate Communication. Journal of Business Ethics, 102, 15–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-0901-2
  • Ramalho, A. L. D. O. S., Oliveira, F. M., de Aquino Cabral, A. C., dos Santos, S. M., Holanda, T. C., & Ricarte, T. L. (2024). Bibliometric study of scientific production on greenwashing. Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental, 18(5), 1-25.
  • Siano, A., Vollero, A., Conte, F., & Amabile, S. (2017). “More than words”: Expanding the taxonomy of greenwashing after the Volkswagen scandal. Journal of business research, 71, 27-37.
  • Singh, D., & Khan, S. (2024). Greenwashing: An Integrated Thematic and Content Analysis of Literature through Scientometrics Methods. Thailand and The World Economy, 42(3), 79-104.
  • Szabo, S., & Webster, J. (2021). Perceived greenwashing: the effects of green marketing on environmental and product perceptions. Journal of business ethics, 171(4), 719-739.
  • Walker, K., & Wan, F. (2012). The harm of symbolic actions and green-washing: Corporate actions and communications on environmental performance and their financial implications. Journal of business ethics, 109(2), 227-242.
  • Wodnicka, M., &Tartaraj, A. (2025). Greenwashing in corporate social responsibility: bibliometric analisis. ZeszytyNaukowePolitechnikiŚląskiej. Organizacja iZarządzanie, (216).
  • Wu, M. W., & Shen, C. H. (2013). Corporate social responsibility in the banking industry: Motives and financial performance. Journal of Banking & Finance, 37(9), 3529–3547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbankfin.2013.04.023
  • Yu, E. P. Y., Van Luu, B., & Chen, C. H. (2020). Greenwashing in environmental, social and governance disclosures. Research in International Business and Finance, 52, 101192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2020.101192

Reality or Image? A Bibliometric Analysis of Scientific Publications on Greenwashing (2002–2025)

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 2, 108 - 121, 30.11.2025

Abstract

Greenwashing is an important concept that refers to businesses misleading stakeholders by presenting their environmental responsibilities in a more positive light than they actually are. With the rise of environmental sustainability on the global agenda, greenwashing practices are being intensively discussed in both academic literature and policy debates. This study was conducted to assess the development trends of scientific publications on greenwashing systematically. A total of 1671 documents published in the Web of Science database between 2002 and 2025 were examined within the scope of the analysis. The bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Biblioshiny package running in the R software environment. The average annual growth rate was determined to be 28.81%, indicating that the topic is rapidly developing as a research area. An average of 22.11 citations per publication demonstrates that the literature has generated significant academic impact. The findings comprehensively present the main trends, key themes, and publication dynamics in the greenwashing literature and provide a guiding framework for future studies.

References

  • Akdeniz, D. (2025). Yeşil iknaçalışmalarınayönelikbibliyometrikanaliz. Sürdürülebilirlik, Yönetim& Ekonomi Dergisi, 1(1), 41-57.
  • Andreoli, T., Crespo, N. F., &Minciotti, F. (2017). What has been (short) written about greenwashing? A bibliometric research and critical analysis. Revista Iberoamericana de Estratégia, 16(3), 53–67.
  • Bhullar, P. S., Joshi, M., Sharma, S., Kaur, A., & Phan, D. (2025). Greenwashing and ESG: Bibliometric analysis and future research agenda. Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, 102846.
  • Boiral, O. (2016). Accounting for the unaccountable: Biodiversity reporting and impression management. Journal of business ethics, 135(4), 751-768.https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2497-9
  • Dakwah, M. M., & Abdurrahman, A. (2023). Bibliometric analysis of green marketing in Asia (2000-2020). Target: JurnalManajemenBisnis, 5(1), 79-90.
  • De Freitas Netto, S. V., Sobral, M. F. F., Ribeiro, A. R. B., & Soares, G. R. L. (2020). Concepts and forms of greenwashing: A systematic review. Environmental Sciences Europe, 32, Article 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-020-0300-3
  • Delmas, M. A., & Burbano, V. C. (2011). The drivers of greenwashing. California Management Review, 54(1), 64–87. https://doi.org/10.1525/cmr.2011.54.1.64
  • Donthu, N., Kumar, S., Mukherjee, D., Pandey, N., & Lim, W. M. (2021). How to Conduct a Bibliometric Analysis: An Overview and Guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 133, 285–296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070
  • Font, X., Walmsley, A., Cogotti, S., McCombes, L., & Häusler, N. (2012). Corporate social responsibility: The disclosure–performance gap. Tourism Management, 33(6), 1544–1553. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2012.02.012
  • Gupta, H., & Singh, S. K. (2024). Visualization of global research trends on greenwashing. Journal of Business Ethics, 186(2), 345–369.
  • Kim, E. H., & Lyon, T. P. (2015). Greenwash vs. Brownwash: Exaggeration and Undue Modesty in Corporate Sustainability Disclosure. Organization Science, 26(3), 705–723. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2014.0949
  • Kiron, D., Unruh, G., Reeves, M., Kruschwitz, N., Rubel, H., &ZumFelde, A. M. (2017). Corporate sustainability at a crossroads. MIT Sloan Management Review, 58(4).
  • Laufer, W. S. (2003). Social Accountability and Corporate Greenwashing. Journal of Business Ethics, 43, 253–261. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022962719299
  • Lyon, T. P., & Montgomery, A. W. (2015). The means and end of greenwash. Organization & environment, 28(2), 223-249. https://doi.org/10.1177/1086026615575332
  • Marquis, C., Toffel, M. W., & Zhou, Y. (2016). Scrutiny, norms, and selective disclosure: A global study of greenwashing. Organization science, 27(2), 483-504.
  • Montero-Navarro, A., González-Torres, T., Rodríguez-Sánchez, J. L., & Gallego-Losada, R. (2021). A bibliometric analysis of greenwashing research: a closer look at agriculture, food industry and food retail. British Food Journal, 123(13), 547-560.
  • Netto, S. V. D., Sobral, M. F. F., Ribeiro, A. R. B., & Soares, G. R. D. (2020). Concepts and forms of greenwashing: A systematic review. Environmental Sciences Europe, 32(19), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12302-020-0300-3
  • Nyilasy, G., Gangadharbatla, H., & Paladino, A. (2014). Perceived Greenwashing: The Interactive Effects of Green Advertising and Corporate Environmental Performance on Consumer Reactions. Journal of Business Ethics, 125, 693–707. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1944-3
  • Özbingöl, A., & Uğurlu, Y. A. (2024). Yeşil aklamanın bibliyometrik analizi: 2000-2024 Dönemi için Türkiye’deki ulusal eğilimler. Muhasebe ve Finansman Dergisi, (103), 21-50.
  • Parguel, B., Benoît-Moreau, F., &Larceneux, F. (2011). How Sustainability Ratings Might Deter ‘Greenwashing’: A Closer Look at Ethical Corporate Communication. Journal of Business Ethics, 102, 15–28. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-0901-2
  • Ramalho, A. L. D. O. S., Oliveira, F. M., de Aquino Cabral, A. C., dos Santos, S. M., Holanda, T. C., & Ricarte, T. L. (2024). Bibliometric study of scientific production on greenwashing. Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental, 18(5), 1-25.
  • Siano, A., Vollero, A., Conte, F., & Amabile, S. (2017). “More than words”: Expanding the taxonomy of greenwashing after the Volkswagen scandal. Journal of business research, 71, 27-37.
  • Singh, D., & Khan, S. (2024). Greenwashing: An Integrated Thematic and Content Analysis of Literature through Scientometrics Methods. Thailand and The World Economy, 42(3), 79-104.
  • Szabo, S., & Webster, J. (2021). Perceived greenwashing: the effects of green marketing on environmental and product perceptions. Journal of business ethics, 171(4), 719-739.
  • Walker, K., & Wan, F. (2012). The harm of symbolic actions and green-washing: Corporate actions and communications on environmental performance and their financial implications. Journal of business ethics, 109(2), 227-242.
  • Wodnicka, M., &Tartaraj, A. (2025). Greenwashing in corporate social responsibility: bibliometric analisis. ZeszytyNaukowePolitechnikiŚląskiej. Organizacja iZarządzanie, (216).
  • Wu, M. W., & Shen, C. H. (2013). Corporate social responsibility in the banking industry: Motives and financial performance. Journal of Banking & Finance, 37(9), 3529–3547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbankfin.2013.04.023
  • Yu, E. P. Y., Van Luu, B., & Chen, C. H. (2020). Greenwashing in environmental, social and governance disclosures. Research in International Business and Finance, 52, 101192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2020.101192
There are 28 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language Turkish
Subjects Strategy
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Gözde Koca 0000-0001-6847-6812

Publication Date November 30, 2025
Submission Date July 18, 2025
Acceptance Date November 12, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 10 Issue: 2

Cite

APA Koca, G. (2025). Gerçek mi İmaj mı? Greenwashing Üzerine Bilimsel Yayınların Bibliyometrik Analizi (2002–2025). Bilecik Şeyh Edebali Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 10(2), 108-121.