Purpose This study aims to examine how enterprises operationalise the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within their strategies by conducting a bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review of management research. Design/methodology/approach This research analyses 335 papers using bibliometric techniques to map the research landscape of SDG studies in management. The analysis identifies six thematic clusters and develops a conceptual model grounded in institutional, stakeholder and legitimacy theories. Findings The analysis reveals six key thematic clusters: politics and policy in SDG integration, innovation and entrepreneurship, transforming business models, sustainable supply chains, stakeholder engagement and competitive advantage and corporate reporting practices. The research landscape shows a cohesive structure concentrated in specific thematic journals, reflecting the field’s evolving priorities. Practical implications This study provides targeted recommendations for managers, such as embedding SDGs into core strategy, enhancing stakeholder engagement through transparent reporting and adopting circular economy practices; and for policymakers, including the design of sector-specific sustainability regulations, support for innovation ecosystems and mechanisms to ensure the credibility of SDG disclosures. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research presents the first comprehensive mapping of SDG-related management literature, offering a novel conceptual model that illustrates the interconnected roles of institutions, stakeholders and businesses in fostering SDG-aligned strategies.
Rodaro et al. (Mon,) studied this question.