Evolution of theoretical approaches to the concept of international competitiveness of multinational companies in the context of sustainable development

His article examines the evolution of theoretical approaches to the international competitiveness of transnational corporations (TNCs) in response to the sustainable development agenda. TNCs exercise considerable influence over the global economy, accounting for a substantial share of world output, trade, and innovation. Yet classical theories of international business have long treated environmental and social constraints as external conditions rather than as endogenous factors of competitiveness.

The paper reviews the OLI paradigm, the resource-based view (RBV), the natural-resourcebased view (NRBV), and the literature on sustainability innovations, ESG factors, and sustainable dynamic capabilities. The analysis demonstrates a progressive shift from a narrow economic conception of international competitiveness towards a multidimensional framework in which sustainable development principles, integrated into global value chains, constitute a source of competitive advantage for TNCs.

The study's scientific contribution lies in refining the concept of «sustainable international competitiveness of TNCs» and in offering a stage-based systematization of the theoretical evolution as applied to global business. The practical relevance of the findings consists in providing a rationale for the systemic integration of sustainability principles–including responsible consumption and production–into corporate strategy, thereby strengthening TNCs' competitive positions in foreign markets.

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