Key Factors and Strategies for Stakeholder Engagement in Corporate Sustainability: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This review synthesizes research published from 2006 to 2024 on stakeholder engagement in corporate sustainability, addressing three interrelated aspects: the critical factors influencing engagement performance, the strategies employed to integrate stakeholder needs, and the conceptual frameworks guiding long-term collaboration. As sustainability shifts from a peripheral responsibility to a core strategic priority, organizations must align diverse stakeholder needs with evolving environmental, social, and governance imperatives. Utilizing a PRISMA-guided, systematic approach, this study integrates descriptive, bibliometric, and thematic analyses to identify key benchmarks for effective engagement, including inclusivity, transparency, and continuous communication. Overall, the review demonstrates that effective stakeholder engagement is a strategic function that supports innovation, risk management, and organizational resilience, thereby laying a foundation for future research and practice in sustainable development. These findings clearly clarify research gaps and guide future inquiry and practice in stakeholder engagement.