Bibliometric Analysis of the Literature on Sustainable Consumption and Consumer Behavior: Thematic Trends and Research Gaps
Chapter from the book: Villi, B. (ed.) 2026. Marketing in the Era of the Climate Crisis: Sustainability, Consumption, and Corporate Responsibility.

Gulnara Karadeniz
Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University

Synopsis

This study investigates the structure, developmental trends, and thematic orientations of the literature on sustainable consumption and consumer behavior through a bibliometric perspective. To this end, publications indexed in the Scopus database between 2014 and 2025 were analyzed. The findings reveal that the sustainable consumption literature has evolved into an increasingly expansive and multidimensional field of inquiry. The analysis further shows that the literature is organized around five major thematic clusters: green products and sustainable purchasing behavior; sustainable food consumption and organic products; individual and psychological determinants; pro-environmental behavior and the circular economy; and next-generation consumer trends. The study demonstrates that sustainable consumption behavior cannot be explained solely by environmental concern; rather, it is shaped by a broad set of factors, including attitudes, social norms, perceived consumer effectiveness, trust, perceived value, and structural conditions. Moreover, the intention–behavior gap remains one of the central issues in the literature. Overall, the study systematically identifies the structural characteristics and thematic orientations of the sustainable consumption literature and offers a theoretical and methodological framework to guide future research.

How to cite this book

Karadeniz, G. (2026). Bibliometric Analysis of the Literature on Sustainable Consumption and Consumer Behavior: Thematic Trends and Research Gaps. In: Villi, B. (ed.), Marketing in the Era of the Climate Crisis: Sustainability, Consumption, and Corporate Responsibility. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub1338.c5383

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Published

June 29, 2026

DOI