Sustainable packaging research

Over the past few decades, plastic consumption has become an increasingly global concern resulting in extensive environmental impacts. One of the best ways to counter this issue and prevent further long-term environmental damage is through the use of sustainable packaging. However, there is relatively little focus on a systematic analysis of the thematic and intellectual structures of sustainable packaging. Therefore, this study aims to examine the thematic patterns in the sustainable packaging literature by using bibliographic coupling analysis. Findings from the study indicate that regardless of the country or organization-level bibliographic coupling, sustainable packaging studies are influenced by contributions from both global and emerging economies. In addition, author-level bibliographic coupling reveals a mature and rapidly evolving research landscape, with a strong potential for interdisciplinary collaborations to advance sustainable packaging in the future. Lastly, findings from the document-level bibliographic coupling guide the development of a conceptual framework for future sustainable packaging research. The framework indicates that sustainable packaging and consumer adoption are influenced by social media, public engagement, and recycling innovation, with behavioural determinants acting as a mediating factor. Further, these connections are theoretically supported by Social Cognitive Theory, the Theory of Planned Behaviour, and Diffusion of Innovations.