Integrating sustainable development into the business model through sustainable corporate strategies

Abstract

In the context of globalization and the growing pressures of climate change, the integration of sustainable development into business models has become a key condition for the long-term competitiveness and legitimacy of enterprises. This study explores how sustainability-oriented corporate strategies enable the embedding of economic, social, and environmental principles within organizational practices. Building on a qualitative and conceptual approach, the paper formulates two working hypotheses emphasizing that integrative and proactive sustainability strategies enhance corporate competitiveness, and ethical leadership and responsible governance serve as enablers of sustainable transformation. The paper introduces the “Facets of corporate sustainable strategies” model, a multidimensional framework designed to assess sustainability maturity and guide managerial decision-making. An illustrative analysis of Moldovan companies representing key economic sectors like finance, energy, telecommunications, and manufacturing, highlights emerging best practices in ESG integration and corporate responsibility. The study concludes that the coherence between corporate actions and public sustainability policies is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It provides both a conceptual foundation and policy insights for advancing sustainable management and fostering a responsible and innovation-driven economy.