Sustainability in Retail: A framework, review and future research agenda

This research aims to review the extant literature on sustainability and to conduct a comprehensive analysis of research in this emerging field. Accordingly, this paper synthesizes the literature in terms of theories, contexts, characteristics, and methodology to analyze sustainability research development over time. The literature review is an important part of any research project and shows that sustainability has transitioned from different highlights. Specifically, this paper analyzes the overview of literature related to a keyword/ title/abstract/ theory/ method using by a four-step technique: 1) the dominant definitions of sustainability (and related concepts) and its evolution over time, 2) the characteristics of sustainability elements after searching for academic publications in the database ( Scopus) and selecting publications based on their relevance for the stated aims, 214 studies have been included in the review; 3)selected studies with the dominant definition as corporate social responsibility (CSR) and as green;4) studies selected and identified in the differences between the sustainability approaches ( consumer approach and analytical approach). Results show that the definition of sustainability has changed over time and in different approaches according to the growing relevance of the retail system. This study allows a classification and schematization of recent articles. It provides a synthesis of the body of knowledge so far produced in the field of sustainability; as such, it has important implications for managers, scholars, and students.