Digitalization, business models, and the 2030 development agenda: pathways for MNEs

Juan Carlos Sosa Varela and Fabiola Monje-Cueto

Chapter 6 in The Elgar Companion to International Business and the Sustainable Development Goals, 2026, pp 122-149 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter explores how multinational enterprises (MNEs) can leverage digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and big data to advance the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It begins by highlighting the transformative potential of digitalization in promoting sustainable business practices. The chapter examines the evolution from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to SDGs, emphasizing the role of MNEs in driving sustainability through business model innovation (BMI) and a Nexus Approach to corporate sustainability. It also addresses challenges such as resistance to digital adoption, governance issues, and the importance of aligning corporate strategies with SDGs. The chapter concludes by discussing how digitalization can enhance supply chain transparency, strengthen cross-sector collaborations, and enable MNEs to contribute more effectively to global sustainability.

Keywords: Digital transformation; SDGs; MNEs; Corporate sustainability; Business model innovation; Value chain transparency (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035348473
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