Reputational risks in banks: A review of research themes, frameworks, methods, and future research directions

Abstract

This study examined the research trends on reputational risk in banks using a systematic literature review and network analysis (SLRNA) approach on 35 research articles published between 2010 and 2020. It was found that only developed countries (i.e., the United States and Europe) have been actively contributing to research on reputational risks in banks, suggesting that reputational risks management of banks has not gained the global attention it deserves. Moreover, we identified five broad research themes from the thematic network analysis, namely, reputational risk of operational losses, reputational effects of media tone, performance implications of reputational risk management, management of reputational risk in banks, sustainability practices and reputational risk of banks in the project finance market. Nonetheless, there still a number of areas that require further attention. These include conceptualization of reputational risk management in banks that explore the dynamic and interdependencies in a system thinking framework, the role of corporate governance, environmental and social issues on reputational risk, how sustainability practices shape reputational risk management, the role of political connections in mitigating reputational effect of operational loss events, and how information and communication technology (ICT) mechanisms impact reputational risk management in banks.

Keywords: reputational risks; banks; systematic literature review