The Role of Multinational Enterprises in Supporting the United Nations' SDGs is an exploration of the place of the private sector in implementing select Sustainable Development Goals. Beyond the abundant literature published by the United Nations and journal articles, there are few book-length treatments of the unique role that multinationals play as facilitators of goal implementation and agents of change. This volume aims to stimulate debate and research on MNEs' best practices, fleshing out many of the seventeen goals through the lens of corporate strategic choices. Sixteen carefully selected chapters present research advances in both study and best practices format, linking disciplines, knowledge systems, and stakeholders' perspectives to support a more sustainable business model and address the varied challenges on the road to the 2030 Agenda. They comprise a balanced mix of research methodologies: comprehensive literature reviews, theoretical frameworks, empirical studies, integrative reviews, and case studies. The book will be of use to advanced students, researchers, practitioners, planners, and policymakers worldwide who are concerned with sustainable development and corporate social responsibility issues through the lens of multinationals. Furthermore, the book is designed to be used in graduate courses in business, economics, public policy and on sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

Climate change is one of the most salient challenges expressed in the seventeen interconnected UN Sustainable Development Goals. A greater impetus has emerged in recent years for larger corporations to assume a pivotal role in framing the issues of climate change-focused policy, ensuring environmental sustainability across the value chain and in leading by example with best implementation practices. This collection of leading-edge research addresses the fast-evolving role of multinational enterprises as agents of change in standard development and as diffusers of innovation in solving sustainability problems. CSR and Climate Change Implications for Multinational Enterprises presents a unique lens to address generic issues and how they manifest and find resolution in various industry sectors, from the perspective of different disciplines ranging from logistics to finance to ethics. Contributors from the United States, Europe and emerging economies offer contrasting views on how corporate social governance best addresses the sustainability implications of climate change, seeking innovative ways to incorporate environmental stewardship in policy design and operational firm-level concerns. This is a critical resource for both researchers and practitioners, as well as policy-makers who focus on sustainability in the corporate contexts. It serves as a fresh reference for graduate level students and academics concerned with global corporate governance in the evolving context of multinationality.

This book gives insights into sustainable development and how MNEs and other enterprises are responding to this in their business models. It places special emphasis on the Indian story and, at the same time, tries to explore alternative business models from other parts of the world (such as Africa) that can ensure sustainable development globally. Taking a balanced and multidimensional approach, this book discusses a wide range of literature, opinions, empirical models and case studies, dealing with complex dimensions of the thematic issues.' - Paul Shrivastava, Executive Director of Future EarthEconomic development that meets the needs of the global population without jeopardizing the capacity of future generations is a worldwide challenge for Multinational Enterprises (MNEs). They are expected to balance their role as global economic actors and environmental stewards in the environment in which they operate. Contributors from India, Europe and the United States offer new perspectives, contrasting US, European and emerging economies' approaches to sustainability and how they can generate roadmaps which yield innovative solutions for one of the most contentious issues of our era. Their review suggests that the differential performance across developed and emerging economies has exposed potential weaknesses. Emerging Dynamics of Sustainability in Multinational Enterprises promotes greater emphasis on experimenting with unique local and sustainable approaches to solving problems faced by firms in, or from, emerging economies. This is a critical resource for researchers, practitioners and policy-makers concerned with sustainable development issues, and a fresh reference for graduate-level students and academics focusing on corporate governance, sustainable development and ethics as well as multinational enterprise management. Contributors: M. Bansal , N. Bhasin, J. Effiong, C. Gendron, B. Girard, P. Goel, D. Griffith, R. Guimaraes, T. Houe, S. Ivanaj, S.K. Jain, V. Jain, R.N. Kar, A. Kaur, Y. Kebede, J.R. McIntyre, Minakshi, K.V. Bhanu Murthy, G.A. Raikar, K.N. Schmidt, K. Sharma, K. Sorsa, G. Suder, A.K. Swain, S. Varma, N.H. Vaz

'This comprehensive volume provides excellent coverage of the scholarly landscape for virtual teaming. Ivanaj and Bozon have integrated a variety of research streams and practical techniques that should prove to be very useful for anyone studying or working in virtual teams. The chapter on leadership and conflict management is an especially thoughtful and welcome addition to the literature, given we know less about these arenas, and yet they tend to be critical roadblocks for many teams. I commend the authors on developing an excellent resource!' - Cristina Gibson, University of Western Australia The book Managing Virtual Teams explores the critical elements that must be considered in managing virtual teams in organizations from structural, managerial, and process points-of-view. Based in solid research, the book provides a deep look at the nature of virtual teams and the factors that enable their success. Using a text-analysis method, the book consolidates results from both academic and practitioners' sources about virtual team inputs, processes, and outcomes. It lays out in clear detail the key characteristics of virtual teams and traces their emergence within organizations and research literature. Managing Virtual Teams addresses the particular practices of virtual teams, not only technological-focused but also socio-emotional, including the managerial attitudes required in virtual environments seeking well-performing teams. Incorporating case studies and research results, this book demonstrates how academic research can be used to successfully manage businesses in a virtual context. This book is a valuable contribution with clear guidelines for managerial practice, both for researchers interested in learning about virtual teams and to managers and organizations dealing with the challenges of managing them. Students will also benefit from this book as they learn how to become effective and operational virtual team members, and in future, successful managers.

There is no debate about the fact that a 'business as usual' approach is an environmentally unsustainable one. Given the magnitude of the environmental challenges the world faces today, extensive changes in corporate strategies and significant innovation advances are absolutely necessary if we are to avoid substantial decreases in our quality of living. This set of internationally recognized authors provides some fresh and informative perspectives on this topic along with a path for a more sustainable future.' - Mark Ferguson, University of South Carolina, USCorporations across the world are becoming increasingly aware of the threat of environmental degradation and the growing importance of sustainable business practices. This raises a vital question: How can for-profit firms (and other profit-conscious enterprises such as government organizations) implement more environmentally friendly policies without sacrificing profitability? This innovative volume tackles that complex question, offering detailed recommendations for making strategic technological choices that are economically advantageous, ecologically sustainable and socially responsible. Expert contributions examine the contextual factors that affect implementation of more sustainable technology and innovation practices, offering a number of empirical methodologies to describe and explain these multidimensional influences. What emerges is a compelling argument in favor of balanced strategies that merge profitability concerns with ecological consciousness, allowing for controlled sustainable development and stable, long-term economic success. Discussion of companies in both developed and emerging countries makes this book useful on a truly global scale. Students and professors of business, management studies and economics will find much to admire in this path-breaking volume. Managers, policymakers and other practitioners will also benefit greatly from this book s timely and insightful recommendations. Contributors include: G. Abu-Lebdeh, R. Bardy, S. Beheiry, S. Berger-Douce, S.M. Bhale, S. Bioly, C. Gendron, R. Guimaraes, T. Houe, S. Kakoty, R.N. Kar, M. Klumpp, G. Le Boulch, T. Machiba, M. Massaro, R. Oudghiri, T. Sagafi-Nejad, C. Schmitt, P. Shrivastava, S. Zelewski

Transnational corporations play a role in the design, diffusion, and consolidation of sustainable development in the context of globalization and multinational firms. In this timely book European and American contributors analyze this role and explore the complex and dynamic phenomena of economic, political, cultural and legal interactions involved. In order to understand this interplay, the authors examine the practices and organizational behaviors used by multinationals in sustainable development. They also discuss the evolving concepts that multinationals hold about sustainable development and corporate social responsibility and how companies reaffirm these philosophies through their strategy and organizational practices such as human resource development, marketing, supply chain, information technology, law, and communications. The authors outline an approach to help identify the key details and motivating factors in decision making. Scholars, students and policy analysts in the fields of business, ecology, economic development and developmental economics and consultants focusing in corporate planning and strategic analysis will find this original collection of great value.