Key performance indicators for sustainable supply chain management in SMEs: a bibliometric review

Background: This study presents a bibliometric analysis of key performance indicators (KPIs) for sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Despite growing academic attention, particularly after 2020, important gaps remain in how sustainability performance is measured and assessed in SME contexts.

Methods: Using the Scopus database, we identified 169 relevant studies published between 2004 and 2025. The dataset was obtained through sustainability- and SME-related keyword filtering, followed by manual screening based on predefined eligibility criteria.

Results: The findings reveal a research landscape dominated by economic and technological KPI dimensions, with Italy, India, and Indonesia emerging as leading contributors. However, the results also indicate limited research attention to social sustainability, organizational capabilities, and governance within SME supply chains. Overall, eight underexplored KPI domains are identified as opportunities for future research and practical development.

Conclusions: This analysis clarifies the intellectual landscape of SSCM KPI research and provides evidence-based insights for researchers and practitioners regarding which KPI dimensions are emphasized and which remain underdeveloped for practical application in SME supply chains, without developing or validating a new KPI framework.