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Exploring the Status Quo of Adopting the 17 UN SDGs in a Developing Country—Evidence from Vietnam

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  • Akrum Helfaya

    (Keele Business School, Keele University, Keele, Newcastle ST5 5BG, UK
    Faculty of Commerce, Damanhour University, Damanhour P.O. Box 22511, Egypt)

  • Phuong Bui

    (Becamex Business School, Eastern International University, Thu Dau Mot City 820000, Vietnam)

Abstract

This paper develops the multiple-theoretical framework of legitimacy, stakeholders, and voluntary perspective to assess the adoption of Vietnamese listed firms to the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The paper’s primary objective is to use content analysis to discover the status quo of the SDGs practices of the largest 100 Vietnamese listed firms on the two biggest Vietnamese stock exchanges (Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange–HOSE and Hanoi Stock Exchange–HNX). By drawing a unique framework, the paper contributes to the extant literature review of SDG-related research. Our research framework enables corporate decision-makers significantly access corporate SDG adoptions and the implementation process. With the direct pressure of stakeholders, high environmental sensitivity industries are keen on disclosing SDG-related information. Notwithstanding, the findings reveal that Vietnamese listed firms indicate “ green talks ” in their corporate reporting rather than “ green actions ”. Thus, our findings encourage firms to engage in SDGs through substantive sustainability strategies and need greater attention from governments, practitioners, and policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • Akrum Helfaya & Phuong Bui, 2022. "Exploring the Status Quo of Adopting the 17 UN SDGs in a Developing Country—Evidence from Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-29, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:22:p:15358-:d:977098
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