The Mediating Role of International Competitive Strategies in the Effect of Companies' Corporate Sustainability Activities on Export Performance in Türkiye: Porter’s Generic Perspective

Abstract

Sustainability has become quite significant in contemporary global trends, driven by increasing awareness of environmental, social and economic challenges. Increasing awareness of sustainability in international markets is effective in changing demands in this direction, so corporate sustainability activities, which include the environmental, social and economic responsibilities of companies, have gained a critical role in the eyes of the state, investors and consumers. Corporate sustainability is a critical element for companies to maintain their long-term competitiveness and achieve sustainable growth targets, and in this context, it is important to examine the relationship between sustainability practices and export performance in international markets. For export-oriented economies like Türkiye, integrating sustainability into trade practices is not only a strategic necessity, but also a prerequisite for remaining competitive in global markets. Although there are findings in the literature on the effect of corporate sustainability activities on competitive advantage and performance in foreign markets, the role of competitive strategies in this relationship has not been adequately investigated in the literature. This article examines the impact of corporate sustainability activities of exporting firms in Türkiye on their export performance and the mediated role of competitive strategies in this effect.