Sustainability and multinationals: the evolution of supportive practices and strategies to achieve SDGs

Dina Frutos-Bencze and Pard Teekasap

Chapter 9 in The Elgar Companion to International Business and the Sustainable Development Goals, 2026, pp 186-215 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The role of multinational enterprises (MNEs) in supporting and implementing practices and strategies that advance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is explored in a systematic literature review using the Bibliometrix® tool, an open-source R package. The analysis uncovered a substantial shift in the research focus from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to Corporate Sustainability (CS) as the dominant framework. Results indicate an increase in alignment of MNE practices with SDGs, particularly in sustainable supply chains, stakeholder engagement, and environmental reporting. The analysis also highlights interdisciplinary approaches as critical to understanding and enhancing MNE contributions to SDG implementation. In addition, by synthesizing key themes and identifying research gaps, this chapter provides a foundation for advancing scholarship and practical insights into how MNE practices and strategies help achieve SDGs. More research in this area is recommended because it will further elucidate the role and contributions of MNEs in making their industries more sustainable.

Keywords: Sustainable practices; Sustainable strategy; Sustainable development goals (SDGs); Multinational enterprises (MNEs); Bibliometric analysis; Evolution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035348473
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