Business and the Sustainable Development Goals in Developing Economies: Transforming Society Through Contextualized Research

Introduction

We warmly invite you to consider submitting your work to this special issue on business and sustainable development in developing economies. As global challenges surrounding climate change, inequality, poverty, and social exclusion intensify, we believe this is a timely and important opportunity to advance impactful and contextually grounded research that explores how businesses can contribute to societal transformation and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This special issue invites submissions that examine how business practices in developing countries can contribute to inclusive and sustainable development while reflecting the unique institutional, cultural, political, and socioeconomic realities of the Global South. While the SDGs provide a global framework for sustainable development, much of the existing business and sustainability literature remains grounded in Western-centric assumptions and institutional contexts.

We particularly encourage interdisciplinary and impactful research that critically engages with existing theories, adapts sustainability frameworks to developing economies, or develops novel insights that better reflect underrepresented contexts. Contributions may examine how businesses act not only as economic actors, but also as agents of societal transformation capable of addressing pressing societal challenges.

List of Topic Areas

We welcome papers addressing themes including, but not limited to:

• Business contributions to the SDGs in developing economies
• Sustainability and corporate governance in the Global South
• Climate resilience and environmental sustainability
• Poverty reduction, inequality, and inclusive development
• Gender equity and social inclusion
• Sustainable entrepreneurship and social innovation
• Responsible leadership and organizational transformation
• Sustainable supply chains and circular economy practices
• ESG, sustainable finance, and accountability
• Informal economies and societal transformation
• Contextualizing Western sustainability frameworks in developing countries
• Cross-sector collaboration and institutional partnerships

This special issue seeks to advance scholarly conversations by encouraging contextually grounded, societally impactful, and actionable research that bridges theory and practice while broadening sustainability and management scholarship beyond dominant Western perspectives.

Submission Information

Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to “Please select the issue you are submitting to”.

Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available here

Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see here

Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.

Key Dates

Deadline Extended: 30 June 2026