In recent decades, various types of emergencies have started to occur more frequently. Their impact and complexity have increased significantly, bringing serious challenges to the sustainable development of the economy, society and the environment. Emergency decision making (EDM) for emergencies is vital for successfully handling crisis events and achieving sustainable development goals. It has attracted widespread academic attention. The purpose of this study is to summarize the progress made so far in research and identify future directions through a literature review. First, a two-stage literature search was conducted to identify a sample of studies. Then, the literature was analyzed econometrically and coded for content. Finally, a theoretical framework based on stakeholder theory was developed to identify current insights and to uncover what needs to be further researched. The article suggests that future in-depth research should be conducted in four areas: analysis of social media information related to emergencies, improvement in computer-aided tools, the influence of decision makers’ characteristics on decision outcomes, and efficient linkage of multiple subjects in the organization and implementation phase of emergency projects. This study hopes to draw the attention of more scholars to conduct research related to EDM to promote theoretical progress and contribute knowledge on the sustainable development of the practice of EDM.