IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i20p9329-d1775942.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

CEO Attributes and Sustainable Development Goals: Employing a Configurational Approach Under Stakeholder Pressure

Author

Listed:
  • Xinyuan Zhang

    (School of Economics, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9YL, UK)

  • Daniel Badulescu

    (Department of Economics and Business, University of Oradea, Str. Universitatii no. 1, 410087 Oradea, Romania)

  • Dorin-Paul Bac

    (Department of Economics and Business, University of Oradea, Str. Universitatii no. 1, 410087 Oradea, Romania)

Abstract

This research investigates the factors influencing organizational participation in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically examining the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) attributes and the moderating influence of stakeholder pressure. Utilizing fuzzy-set Quantitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) on a dataset of 220 Chinese firms, this study identifies that high SDG engagement arises from multiple, equally effective configurations of CEO characteristics (age, education, experience, CEOs in family and non-family firms, digital and financial literacy) and shareholder pressure as a moderator. Our research shows three distinct configurational paths towards participation in SDGs. Young–Skilled–Pressured (Path A): Younger, highly educated CEOs with strong financial and digital literacy, operating under significant stakeholder pressure, are more likely to participate in SDGs. Older–Experienced–Family–Pressured (Path B): Older, experienced family CEOs, supported by at least one form of literacy (financial or digital), and facing strong stakeholder pressure, tend to participate in SDGs. Professionalized Non-Family (Path C): Highly educated CEOs in non-family firms with robust financial and digital literacy, who are also under strong stakeholder pressure as moderators, participate in SDGs. Crucially, strong pressure from external stakeholders is found to be a near-constant prerequisite (quasi-necessary condition) for achieving high SDG participation. This study contributes to Upper Echelons Theory by demonstrating the conjunctural nature of CEO attributes in impacting strategic outcomes. It also reinforces Stakeholder Pressure Theory by confirming its critical and moderating role in driving sustainable practices. Practically, the findings suggest that boards should strategically design leadership teams and foster robust stakeholder engagement, as this external pressure is nearly always required to enhance SDG participation.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinyuan Zhang & Daniel Badulescu & Dorin-Paul Bac, 2025. "CEO Attributes and Sustainable Development Goals: Employing a Configurational Approach Under Stakeholder Pressure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-33, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:20:p:9329-:d:1775942
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/20/9329/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/20/9329/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sanjay Kumar Singh & Manlio Del Giudice & Charbel Jose Chiappetta Jabbour & Hengky Latan & Amrik Singh Sohal, 2022. "Stakeholder pressure, green innovation, and performance in small and medium‐sized enterprises: The role of green dynamic capabilities," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(1), pages 500-514, January.
    2. Samuel Adomako & Mai Dong Tran, 2022. "Environmental collaboration, responsible innovation, and firm performance: The moderating role of stakeholder pressure," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(4), pages 1695-1704, May.
    3. Joern H. Block & Marcus Wagner, 2014. "The Effect of Family Ownership on Different Dimensions of Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from Large US Firms," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(7), pages 475-492, November.
    4. Annamaria Lusardi & Olivia S. Mitchell, 2014. "The Economic Importance of Financial Literacy: Theory and Evidence," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 52(1), pages 5-44, March.
    5. Ma, Liangbo, 2023. "Corporate social responsibility reporting in family firms: Evidence from China," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, Elsevier, vol. 37(C).
    6. Deepak Mishra & Naveen Agarwal & Sanawi Sharahiley & Vinay Kandpal, 2024. "Digital Financial Literacy and Its Impact on Financial Decision-Making of Women: Evidence from India," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-23, October.
    7. Rao Ma & Wendong Lv & Yao Zhao, 2022. "The Impact of TMT Experience Heterogeneity on Enterprise Innovation Quality: Empirical Analysis on Chinese Listed Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-22, December.
    8. Jeswin Jose & Nabanita Ghosh, 2025. "Digital financial literacy and financial inclusion in the global south for a sustainable future: A scoping review," DECISION: Official Journal of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, Springer;Indian Institute of Management Calcutta, vol. 52(1), pages 129-148, March.
    9. Vidyut Lata Dhir & Suranjan Das & Debmallya Chatterjee, 2024. "Impact of Firm Ownership Type on Organizational Commitment and Citizenship Behaviour," Management and Labour Studies, XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources, vol. 49(3), pages 389-416, August.
    10. Farman Ullah Khan & Vanina Adoriana Trifan & Mioara Florina Pantea & Junrui Zhang & Muhammad Nouman, 2022. "Internal Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from Chinese Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-20, February.
    11. Rubel Saha & Md. Nurul Kabir & Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, 2023. "The impact of CEO attributes on sustainability performance: evidence from an emerging economy," Accounting Research Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 36(6), pages 539-557, November.
    12. Adam Arian & John Sands & Stuart Tooley, 2023. "Industry and Stakeholder Impacts on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Financial Performance: Consumer vs. Industrial Sectors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-21, August.
    13. Khalid Mujahid Alharbi & Amina Elshamly & Ibrahim G. Mahgoub, 2025. "Do Regulatory Pressures and Stakeholder Expectations Drive CSR Adherence in the Chemical Industry?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-22, March.
    14. Cristina O. Vlas & Bruno Barreto de Góes & Radu E. Vlas & Eugene See, 2024. "Competing in Innovation-Intensive Environments: The Role of Soft Power, Learning, and CEO Heuristics," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-22, August.
    15. Ritika Mahajan & Satish Kumar & Weng Marc Lim & Monica Sareen, 2024. "The role of business and management in driving the sustainable development goals (SDGs): Current insights and future directions from a systematic review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 4493-4529, July.
    16. Yasir Shahab & Collins G. Ntim & Yugang Chen & Farid Ullah & Hai‐Xia Li & Zhiwei Ye, 2020. "Chief executive officer attributes, sustainable performance, environmental performance, and environmental reporting: New insights from upper echelons perspective," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(1), pages 1-16, January.
    17. Madden, Laura & McMillan, Amy & Harris, Oneil, 2020. "Drivers of selectivity in family firms: Understanding the impact of age and ownership on CSR," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 11(2).
    18. Lixiang Wang & Weian Li & Lujun Qi, 2020. "Stakeholder Pressures and Corporate Environmental Strategies: A Meta-Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, February.
    19. Wenqi Luo & Jiexian Cheng, 2023. "Transition to sustainable business models for green economic recovery: role of financial literacy, innovation and environmental sustainability," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 56(6), pages 3787-3810, December.
    20. Isabel‐María García‐Sánchez & Julia Martín‐Moreno & Sana Akbar Khan & Nazim Hussain, 2021. "Socio‐emotional wealth and corporate responses to environmental hostility: Are family firms more stakeholder oriented?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(2), pages 1003-1018, February.
    21. Saif Ur Rehman & Yacoub Haider Hamdan, 2023. "Founding-Family Firms and CSR Performance in the Emerging Economy of India: A Socio-Emotional Wealth Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-24, May.
    22. Mikko Manner, 2010. "The Impact of CEO Characteristics on Corporate Social Performance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 93(1), pages 53-72, June.
    23. Farid Ullah & Ma Degong & Muhammad Anwar & Saddam Hussain & Rizwan Ullah, 2021. "Supportive tactics for innovative and sustainability performance in emerging SMEs," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 7(1), pages 1-31, December.
    24. Franco Rubino & Francesco Napoli, 2020. "What Impact Does Corporate Governance Have on Corporate Environmental Performances? An Empirical Study of Italian Listed Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-21, July.
    25. Anastazija Dimitrova & Antonín Vaishar & Milada Šťastná, 2021. "Preparedness of Young People for a Sustainable Lifestyle: Awareness and Willingness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-20, June.
    26. Hyun-ju Choi, 2021. "Effect of Chief Executive Officer’s Sustainable Leadership Styles on Organization Members’ Psychological Well-Being and Organizational Citizenship Behavior," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-29, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Liu, Feng & Huang, Wanying & Zhang, Jing & Fang, Mingjie, 2024. "Corporate social responsibility in family business: Using machine learning to uncover who is doing good," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    2. Saier Su & Fei Zhu & Haibo Zhou, 2022. "A Systematic Literature Review on Ownership and Corporate Social Responsibility in Family Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-25, June.
    3. Chenhao Gong & Alina Badulescu, 2025. "Management Motivation, Ethical Responsibility or Social Pressure: How Top Managers Improve Green Behaviors Through Behavioral Strategic Control?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-30, April.
    4. Ameen Qasem & Bazeet Olayemi Badru & Belal Ali Ghaleb & Shaker Dahan AL-Duais & Adel Ali Al-Qadasi, 2024. "Corporate social responsibility disclosure in Saudi companies: analysing the impact of board independence in family and non-family companies," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-18, December.
    5. Andreas Wagner & Denise Fischer‐Kreer, 2024. "The role of CEO regulatory focus in increasing or reducing corporate carbon emissions," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 1051-1065, February.
    6. Francesco Aiello & Paola Cardamone & Lidia Mannarino & Valeria Pupo, 2021. "Green patenting and corporate social responsibility: Does family involvement in business matter?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(4), pages 1386-1396, July.
    7. Nhat Minh Tran, 2022. "CEO and Chairperson Characteristics and Corporate Environmental Performance: A Study of Cooperatives in Vietnam," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, October.
    8. Peng, Shengnan & Liu, Chan & Wang, Ze & Ye, Zihan & Sun, Xialing & Tan, Zhanglu, 2024. "The impact of the carbon reduction policy effectiveness on energy companies' ESG performance," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 96(PB).
    9. Andrea Stübner & Svenja Jarchow, 2023. "Family oblige: the link between CSR and succession intention in small and medium family firms," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 93(3), pages 389-431, April.
    10. José María Agudo-Valiente & Concepción Garcés-Ayerbe & Manuel Salvador-Figueras, 2017. "Corporate Social Responsibility Drivers and Barriers According to Managers’ Perception; Evidence from Spanish Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(10), pages 1-24, October.
    11. Won-Yong Oh & Hojae Ree & Young Kyun Chang & Igor Postuła, 2023. "Trees in the Forest: How Do Family Owners Make CSR Decisions in Business Groups?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 187(4), pages 759-780, November.
    12. Zhe Li & Bo Wang & Dan Zhou, 2022. "Financial experts of top management teams and corporate social responsibility: evidence from China," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 59(4), pages 1335-1386, November.
    13. Long, Zhineng & Duan, Yulan & Zhan, Heng, 2024. "The impact of organizational-level political connection on environmental strategy in private firms," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    14. Farida Saleem & Yingying Zhang-Zhang & Muhammad Imran Malik & Alawiya Allui, 2020. "Revisiting Stakeholder Theory and Environmentalism: Evidence from an Emerging Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-20, October.
    15. Xiaping Wang & Dongling Wang & Syed Ghulam Meran Shah & Anca Draghici & Valentina Taucean, 2025. "Can Cognitive Chief Executive Officers Revitalize Social and Environmental Performance? Assessing the Relation Under the Aegis of Innovation, the Moderating Role of Supervisors and Cash Holdings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-19, June.
    16. Stefania Veltri & Romilda Mazzotta & Franco Ernesto Rubino, 2021. "Board diversity and corporate social performance: Does the family firm status matter?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(6), pages 1664-1679, November.
    17. Arnaldo Coelho & Jorge Ferreira & Catarina Proença, 2024. "The impact of green entrepreneurial orientation on sustainability performance through the effects of green product and process innovation: The moderating role of ambidexterity," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 3184-3202, May.
    18. Weiwei Wu & Jian Shi & Yexin Liu, 2024. "The impact of corporate social responsibility in technological innovation on sustainable competitive performance," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-13, December.
    19. Karel Hrazdil & Fereshteh Mahmoudian & Jamal A. Nazari, 2021. "Executive personality and sustainability: Do extraverted chief executive officers improve corporate social responsibility?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(6), pages 1564-1578, November.
    20. Shanshan Liu & Muhammad Zulfiqar & Aftab Ahmed & Muhammad Zia Aslam, 2025. "Unlocking the influence of unique family firm types on eco-friendly governance and green technology innovation: moderating role of ISO certificates," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:20:p:9329-:d:1775942. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.