MNEs and Disadvantaged Communities in Emerging Markets: Paths to SDG8

Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) are facing growing pressures from stakeholders to address global challenges and to alleviate inequalities faced by disadvantaged communities in the regions where they operate. This thematic literature review seeks to uncover existing knowledge in the IB, wider management literature and closely related fields—economics and development studies—to understand how MNEs interact with disadvantaged communities in emerging markets. Since several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are concerned with addressing the needs of disadvantaged communities, this study explores the potential for MNEs to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, and in particular SDG8 (Decent work and economic development). Our main contribution is to present a thematic analysis of existing knowledge, with the aim of enhancing theoretical understanding of how MNEs interact with disadvantaged communities, and in turn how MNEs can contribute to SDG8.