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Towards sustainable development: Evolution of corporate sustainability in multinational firms

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  • Belén Derqui

Abstract

Scholars have often found a lack of strategy in Corporate Sustainability management and literature lacks longitudinal studies that could shed light on the transformations needed to push it forward. In this longitudinal study (2013–2019), we show how Corporate Sustainability has evolved to be now truly embedded in Corporate Strategy. A paradigm shift is taking hold: sustainability is not an altruistic option for managers anymore, it is now considered a source of revenue. A key contribution of this paper is that it lists the most relevant transformations through which the case study organisations went during the period of study, including bottom‐up leadership, purpose‐driven brand management, enhanced long term partnerships, increased transparency and renewed goals and priorities. Results offer implications for theory and practice. Managers willing to improve the sustainability performance of their companies can use the proposed framework to take advantage of the multiple opportunities that arise from the sustainability megatrend.

Suggested Citation

  • Belén Derqui, 2020. "Towards sustainable development: Evolution of corporate sustainability in multinational firms," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(6), pages 2712-2723, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:27:y:2020:i:6:p:2712-2723
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.1995
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    Cited by:

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    2. Vítor Silva & Vanda Lima & José Carlos Sá & Luís Fonseca & Gilberto Santos, 2022. "B Impact Assessment as a Sustainable Tool: Analysis of the Certification Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-19, May.
    3. Małgorzata Jasiulewicz-Kaczmarek & Katarzyna Antosz & Ryszard Wyczółkowski & Małgorzata Sławińska, 2022. "Integrated Approach for Safety Culture Factor Evaluation from a Sustainability Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-30, September.
    4. del Río, Cristina & López-Arceiz, Francisco J. & Muga, Luis, 2023. "Do sustainability disclosure mechanisms reduce market myopia? Evidence from European sustainability companies," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).

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