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Analysis of the Relationships Between Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainable Development and Organizational Results: An Empirical Study

Author

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  • Juan Antonio Giménez Espín
  • Amelia Pérez Zabaleta

Abstract

This study aims to determine whether the practices companies carry out to contribute to the SDGs have an impact on sustainable development and influence their performance. It also seeks to establish whether sustainable development enables companies to improve their business results. To this end, these business practices have been categorized into three levels: basic, advanced, and expert. The analysis is conducted using a sample of 200 medium‐sized Spanish companies. The data have been collected through a structured questionnaire administered to two managers from each company (the general manager and the person in charge of sustainability or production) and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM). The results show that the greater the company's engagement with the SDGs, the more it contributes to sustainable development, and that this contribution to sustainability is also reflected in better results. In addition, sustainable development is found to have a positive impact on business performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Antonio Giménez Espín & Amelia Pérez Zabaleta, 2026. "Analysis of the Relationships Between Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainable Development and Organizational Results: An Empirical Study," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(1), pages 279-298, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:34:y:2026:i:1:p:279-298
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.70240
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