B-Corp Certification: Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda

This paper aims to study the adoption and impact of B-Corp certification by systematically reviewing key papers on this topic published in peer-reviewed journals from 2006 to 2024. The paper proposes a conceptual framework that provides a comprehensive overview of research themes, subdivided into five broad research focuses: drivers and enablers for organisations seeking certification, barriers they encounter, implementation issues of B-Corp certification and the outcomes achieved post-certification. The study offers a thorough overview of the academic literature on B-Corp certification, laying a strong foundation for future research on the subject. The literature reveals similarities in objectives, approaches and methods, often yielding overly optimistic results that fail to capture the complex impact of B-Corp certification. A range of research opportunities is presented, establishing a research agenda to guide future studies in the field. The findings can support decision-making regarding the adoption and renewal of certification by evaluating its cost–benefit. Policymakers can utilise this comprehensive overview of knowledge to inform their decisions on regulatory actions.