Unveiling research fronts in knowledge management for innovation and sustainable development

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to explore the literature on knowledge management for innovation and sustainable development, to unveil the main research trends developed over time. To contextualize the field under study, bibliometric techniques are used, while traditional methods of systematic literature review are employed to deepen the study and discover the main trends developed over time. The software chosen for this research is Bibliometrix ® , which has been combined with an innovative three-level systematic analysis of keywords, co-occurrence of keywords and analysis of the abstracts of the 793 peer-reviewed articles that make up the database obtained from Web of Science. The findings reveal six relevant subtopics focused on the interconnectedness of knowledge management with some key factors for firms’ competitiveness. It is concluded that effective knowledge management practices disseminate knowledge within and between organizations, teams, and departments, nurturing a culture of continuous learning and cross-functional collaboration. This research significantly contributes to the understanding of the interplay between knowledge management, innovation and sustainable development, as well as providing guidance to policymakers in developing regulations and incentives that support the development of sustainable business models, eco-innovation and efficient knowledge management, and to organizations on how they can apply knowledge management practices to foster innovation, streamline operations and adapt to changing markets and environmental conditions.