Organisations and especially multinational companies play a key role in addressing social sustainability challenges as they significantly influence the wellbeing of millions of people across borders. The term “social sustainability” has become a common topic in the last decades, however clear guidance on how to implement it in a holistic and strategic way is still lacking in the organisational context.

This research analyses how multinational companies can implement social sustainability strategically. In collaboration with a case study company, the authors evaluate the current reality using the Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development. Building on their findings, the authors developed a five-phase guidance to support the case study company in implementing social sustainability.

Based on the challenges that literature on social sustainability within companies identifies, the designed guidance might also support other multinational companies in tackling the social sustainability challenge and help them contribute to move the social system towards a sustainable future.