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Business contributions to the sustainable development goals through community sustainability partnerships

Author

Listed:
  • Eduardo Ordonez-Ponce
  • Amelia Clarke
  • Adriane MacDonald

Abstract

Purpose - This study aims to understand how businesses can contribute to the achievement of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) by implementing Local Agenda 21 (or equivalent) plans in partnership with other organizations situated in their city. To this end, the present study examines drivers and outcomes from the perspective of business partners, as well as their relationships to the SDGs. Design/methodology/approach - Through a mixed-methods approach this research studies 71 businesses from four large cross-sector partnerships formed to achieve local sustainability goals. Data were collected through a survey to determine why firms partner and what outcomes they obtain from partnering. Qualitative content analyses are used to determine the relationships between business drivers and outcomes from partnering for local sustainability and the SDGs. Findings - From a resource-based view (RBV) perspective, findings show the value of local sustainability partnerships in relation to the SDGs. Many SDG targets are aligned with the top reasons why businesses join large community sustainability partnerships. Also, through the outcomes achieved by participating in the partnership businesses can further the SDGs. Research limitations/implications - This research contributes to the literature and to practice through the understanding of businesses partnering for local sustainability, and its relationships to global sustainability. Firstly, the connections of business partners to local and global sustainability are better understood. Of note is the contribution made to the literature on sustainability-related drivers and outcomes expanding and refining RBV literature. Secondly, a positive connection has been established between businesses and the SDGs, proposing a virtuous model of relationship that summarizes the findings from this research. And thirdly, large cross-sector social partnerships are better understood. Practical implications - Small- and medium-sized enterprises and large corporations with local offices can further both local and global sustainable development by engaging in local cross-sector sustainability partnerships. Social implications - These research findings are crucial for those leading sustainability initiatives, so they can engage businesses actively in light of the important role they play in society improving their contributions and the chances for sustainability partnerships to achieve their goals. Originality/value - This research contributes to the scale conversation by exploring community sustainability partnerships as a means to understand how business engagement in sustainability at the local level can contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and, ultimately, to global sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Eduardo Ordonez-Ponce & Amelia Clarke & Adriane MacDonald, 2021. "Business contributions to the sustainable development goals through community sustainability partnerships," Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 12(6), pages 1239-1267, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:eme:sampjp:sampj-03-2020-0068
    DOI: 10.1108/SAMPJ-03-2020-0068
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Milena Serzante & Anastasiia Khudozhnyk, 2023. "Reviewing Sustainability Measurement Methods for Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Sarah Williams & David F. Murphy, 2023. "Learning from Each Other: UK Global Businesses, SMEs, CSR and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-17, February.
    3. Minna Saunila & Juhani Ukko & Jorma Kinnunen, 2024. "Sustainability partnership as a moderator in the relationship between business sustainability and firm competitiveness," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(2), pages 123-133, February.
    4. Stawicka Ewa, 2023. "The Impact of Innovation on the Sustainable Development of Enterprises," Folia Oeconomica Stetinensia, Sciendo, vol. 23(2), pages 370-386, December.
    5. Eduardo Ordonez‐Ponce, 2023. "The role of local cultural factors in the achievement of the sustainable development goals," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(2), pages 1122-1134, April.
    6. Eduardo Ordonez‐Ponce & David Talbot, 2023. "Multinational enterprises' sustainability practices and focus on developing countries: Contributions and unexpected results of SDG implementation," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(2), pages 201-232, March.

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