How Do Consumer Goods Multinationals Engage with Corporate Sustainability? A Cross-Company Case Study Analysis

Abstract

Motivated by the advancements in the discussions of environmental, social, and governance globally, this study aims to improve the knowledge of corporate sustainability motivations and engagement through a qualitative cross-company case study analysis of two consumer goods multinationals, Natura & Co. headquartered in Brazil, and The Coca-Cola Company, headquartered in the USA. The cases were chosen to compare the two companies’ corporate sustainable development (SD) motivations, one headquartered in an emerging and the other in a developed country. This study also assesses the balance between these corporations’ global and local sustainability agendas, comparing their worldwide engagement promises to their actual deliveries vis-à-vis national-institutional arrangements. As contributions to the field, comparing the cases surfaced valuable insights and additional theoretical abstractions on corporate sustainability, including proposing a new SD-engagement typology.

Citation

Simões-Coelho, M., Figueira, A.R. and Russo, E. (2024), "How Do Consumer Goods Multinationals Engage with Corporate Sustainability? A Cross-Company Case Study Analysis", Choi, J.J. and Kim, J. (Ed.) Responsible Firms: CSR, ESG, and Global Sustainability (International Finance Review, Vol. 23), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 219-243. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1569-376720240000023013