As more firms become increasingly aware of
sustainability, there is a growing focus on sustainability-oriented
innovations. However, it has been observed that most sustainable innovations
primarily address the environmental pillar, rather than encompassing the full
scope of the triple bottom line (TBL), which includes environmental, social,
and economic dimensions. This study offers an empirical exploration of the
challenges faced by multinational enterprises (MNEs) in the external
environment while pursuing their sustainability innovation goals through the
lens of the TBL framework. A case study of a Swedish MNE, Alfa, was conducted
using qualitative semi-structured interviews. The study expands existing
knowledge on sustainable innovations by incorporating a comprehensive
understanding of how various forms of resource scarcity beyond just natural
resources shape MNEs’ sustainable innovation strategies.
