A Taxonomy of Critical Success Factors for Implementing Corporate Sustainability Strategies: A Systematic Review

Urška Butolen (), Igor Vrečko and Iztok Palčič
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Urška Butolen: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Igor Vrečko: Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
Iztok Palčič: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-24

Abstract: Businesses are facing increasing pressure to transition to a sustainable economy, requiring the integration of environmental, social, and economic aspects into their corporate strategies. Despite the proliferation of sustainability frameworks, many companies struggle to implement them effectively due to a lack of strategic focus. This study develops a taxonomy of critical success factors (CSFs) for implementing corporate sustainability strategies in production companies, addressing a gap in current research that often focuses on strategy design rather than practical execution. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify critical success factors influencing successful implementation and categorise them, providing a comprehensive understanding of their roles. The proposed taxonomy includes five dimensions: organisational culture, organisational structure, performance management, resources (including digitalisation and technology), and stakeholder integration (including sustainable supply chain management). An explanation is provided of the role of identified CSFs in the successful implementation of corporate sustainability strategies and their interrelationships. The taxonomy serves as a tool for production companies to manage critical success factors influencing the successful implementation of sustainability. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on sustainability by providing practical insights for effective strategy implementation and calls for more empirical studies to explore this area further.

Keywords: corporate sustainability strategy; strategy implementation; critical success factors; taxonomy; systematic literature review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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