Investigating factors influencing sustainability in family businesses: an overview and future research directions

Purpose This paper explores environmental sustainability practices in family firms and examines key drivers, including long-term orientation, family values, governance structures, stakeholder engagement, community involvement, succession planning, and competitive pressures. It explores how these factors affect environmental initiatives and discusses their implications for social and intergenerational sustainability, particularly in emerging economies such as the Arab region. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review was conducted across multiple databases using a wide range of keywords to identify studies on sustainability in family firms. The findings are organized thematically to reveal patterns, identify gaps, and highlight contextual differences. Findings Family firms typically display structural and cultural traits that can both facilitate and restrict sustainability efforts. Strong family values and a long-term orientation promote proactive environmental actions, while governance issues and generational changes may limit their success. The roles of stakeholders and community involvement differ by context, with significant variations in emerging economies, such as those in the Arab region. Originality/value This paper presents a thematically organized review of sustainability in family firms, highlighting key drivers. It focuses on environmental, social, and generational factors, offers insights specific to Arab and emerging markets, and underscores research gaps and future opportunities for scholars, practitioners, and policymakers.