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Sustainability Strategies and Achieving SDGs: A Comparative Analysis of Leading Companies in the Automotive Industry

Author

Listed:
  • Edi Lukin

    (Department of Economics, University of Zadar, Splitska 1, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia)

  • Aleksandra Krajnović

    (Department of Economics, University of Zadar, Splitska 1, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia)

  • Jurica Bosna

    (Department of Economics, University of Zadar, Splitska 1, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia)

Abstract

Sustainability as a growing trend in the 21st century has encompassed almost the entire world economy, including the automotive industry. As a result of this trend, automotive companies are adjusting their strategies and operations to contribute to the achievement of the concept of sustainability at the global level. By turning to sustainability, the automotive industry is experiencing perhaps the biggest transition in its history. This paper therefore deals with the research of sustainable strategies of leading companies in the automotive industry. The paper aims to examine the extent to which the world’s leading companies in the automotive industry meet certain SDG UN goals. The method of the qualitative comparative analysis using the desk method alternative provided the information on sustainability strategies and their fulfilment within the top five companies in the automotive industry according to the Interbrand scale from 2021, considering the UN Agenda 2030 sustainability goals. The results of the analysis showed that the observed companies in the automotive sector meet most of the goals of sustainable development of the UN with their sustainability strategies, which indicates that they are successfully adapting their business operations to modern business requirements. This also makes their brands green, hence the application of the principle of sustainability also affects the strength of their brands, adding “extended customer value”. The paper contributes not only to the development of the framework and elaboration of business models of sustainability in the automotive industry, but also to the development of further theoretical and empirical research in this field and the conceptualization of the principles of sustainability in this area.

Suggested Citation

  • Edi Lukin & Aleksandra Krajnović & Jurica Bosna, 2022. "Sustainability Strategies and Achieving SDGs: A Comparative Analysis of Leading Companies in the Automotive Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:7:p:4000-:d:781572
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    7. Marta C. M. Cláudio & Radu Godina & João C. O. Matias, 2025. "Sustainable manufacturing: A comprehensive review of industrial practices over the last five years," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 5(12), pages 1-44, December.
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    9. Jaime Menéndez-Sánchez & Jorge Fernández-Gómez & Andrés Araujo-de-la-Mata, 2023. "Sustainability Strategies by Oil and Gas Companies, Contribution to the SDGs and Local Innovation Ecosystems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-19, March.
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    11. Letycja Sołoducho-Pelc & Adam Sulich, 2022. "Natural Environment Protection Strategies and Green Management Style: Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-25, August.
    12. Kai Rüdele & Matthias Wolf, 2023. "Identification and Reduction of Product Carbon Footprints: Case Studies from the Austrian Automotive Supplier Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-24, October.
    13. Tibor Princz-Jakovics & Noémi Csigéné Nagypál & Tamás Pálvölgyi, 2025. "Comprehensive assessment of the carbon neutrality actions from the automotive sector," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(10), pages 23909-23928, October.
    14. Čečević Bojana Novićević & Antić Ljilja & Jevtić Adrijana, 2023. "Stock Price Prediction of the Largest Automotive Competitors Based on the Monte Carlo Method," Economic Themes, Sciendo, vol. 61(3), pages 419-441, September.
    15. Sehgal, Nidhi & Jham, Vimi & Malhotra, Gunjan, 2023. "Does green brand anthropomorphism influence repurchase intention? Understanding the impact of brand warmth, psychological ownership, and self-brand congruity," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    16. Hasan, Mohammad Maruf & Hasan, Md Enamul & Ghosh, Tusher, 2024. "Transforming developing economies by shifting paradigms beyond natural resources. The fintech and social dynamics for sustainable mineral policy," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    17. 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.
    18. Morgan Alamandi, 2025. "Sustainable Innovation Management: Balancing Economic Growth and Environmental Responsibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-31, May.
    19. repec:zib:zbaedc:v:1:y:2023:i:2:p:77-88 is not listed on IDEAS
    20. Daniela Cicchini & Maria Luisa Cotana, 2025. "Assessing the Level of Sustainability Planning: Insights from the Automotive Sector," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2025(1), pages 185-209.

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