Connecting business and sustainable development goals in Spain

Abstract

PurposeThis article aims to analyze the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy of Spanish MNCs and how the firms integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in their reports and communication messages.Design/methodology/approachThe analysis is based on cases studies with data collected through the corporate websites of Spanish MNCs listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index.FindingsThe findings tend to indicate that the stakeholder theory and creating shared value are both useful in the analysis of CSR business goals linked to the sustainable development goals of MNCs. However, companies generate little engagement with their stakeholders.Research limitations/implicationsThe results of this article resulted from an in-depth analysis of case studies with data collected from a selected sample of MNCs. The qualitative analysis allows us to understand how SDGs are integrated in the CSR activities. But there is a lack of global indicators to measure the impacts of business through the SDGs.Practical implicationsMNCs with a CSR strategy report the information connected with SDGs. However, there is a need of metrics to better understand the contribution of companies for sustainable development and then to clearly know the contribution of business in sustainable development.Social implicationsCreate shared value means that companies integrate SDGs in their CSR activities and, as a result, they can create different impacts in economic, social, and environmental issues. If companies communicate these activities and engage the stakeholders the social impact may be even greater.Originality/valueThe stakeholders theory serves to explain that companies can make a real contribution to society in their relationship with stakeholders. In addition, the creation of shared value is applicable to the integration of SDGs in companies within the CSR strategy.