Multinational enterprises as agents of global transformation to address grand challenges

E. Aracil, C. Escudero, F.J. Forcadell, J.J. Nájera-Sánchez

XXXIII Congreso Internacional de ACEDE - ACEDE 2024, Valencia (Spain). 16-28 June 2024

Summary:

We review the literature on Multinational Enterprises (MNEs)’ solutions to address Grand Challenges by aligning them to the Transformations for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We combine bibliometric techniques with qualitative analysis to map the literature spanning from 2015 to 2023 across leading journals in international business, management, and organization studies. By identifying common themes, we propose a framework on how MNEs’ actions scale up to mitigate the Grand Challenges. The framework sheds light on MNEs’ design, development and deployment of different solutions. Thus, our framework offers valuable insights into the role of MNEs in driving social change and contributing to the achievement of the SDGs. Nonetheless, we also identify the areas where the evidence in the literature remains elusive and potential avenues for future research. Our results and framework may guide managers and policymakers to implement solutions to mitigate pressing social needs.

Spanish layman's summary:

Revisamos cómo las Empresas Multinacionales (EMNs) abordan los Grandes Retos y contribuyen a los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS). Analizando la literatura entre 2015 y 2023, proponemos un marco que explica cómo las soluciones de las EMNs pueden escalar y tener impacto en la sociedad, destacando sus contribuciones y mecanismos de derrame.

English layman's summary:

We review how Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) address Grand Challenges and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By analyzing literature from 2015-2023, we propose a framework that explains how MNEs’ solutions can scale up to impact society, offering insights into their broader societal contributions and spillover mechanisms.

Keywords: MNEs, Grand Challenges, Transformations, SDG, solutions, amplification, diffusion

Publication date: 2024-06-16.

Citation:
E. Aracil, C. Escudero, F.J. Forcadell, J.J. Nájera-Sánchez, Multinational enterprises as agents of global transformation to address grand challenges, XXXIII Congreso Internacional de ACEDE - ACEDE 2024, Valencia (Spain). 16-28 June 2024.