Fostering Companies' Sustainability Through Relationships

This study explores the nexus between business relationships and corporate sustainability through a systematic literature review of 235 publications. By examining interactions among diverse actors – business and non-business – the research identifies critical themes driving sustainability outcomes: collaborative dynamics, sustainable supply chains, customer relationship management, and stakeholder value co-creation within a circular economy. The findings highlight the role of trust, power dynamics, and governance mechanisms in shaping collaborative relationships, and the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Industry 4.0 technologies in sustainable supply chains. Furthermore, stakeholder collaboration emerges as a cornerstone for advancing circular economies, necessitating co-creation and innovation across ecosystems. This research not only advances the theoretical understanding of sustainability but also offers actionable insights for managers seeking to align relationship strategies of inter-organisational networks in fostering long-term resilience and sustainability.