Purpose: This study aims to examine how enterprises operationalise the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within their strategies by conducting a bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review of management research.

Design/methodology/approach: This research analyses 335 papers using bibliometric techniques to map the research landscape of SDG studies in management. The analysis identifies six thematic clusters and develops a conceptual model grounded in institutional, stakeholder and legitimacy theories.

Findings: The analysis reveals six key thematic clusters: politics and policy in SDG integration, innovation and entrepreneurship, transforming business models, sustainable supply chains, stakeholder engagement and competitive advantage and corporate reporting practices. The research landscape shows a cohesive structure concentrated in specific thematic journals, reflecting the field’s evolving priorities.

Practical implications: This study provides targeted recommendations for managers, such as embedding SDGs into core strategy, enhancing stakeholder engagement through transparent reporting and adopting circular economy practices; and for policymakers, including the design of sector-specific sustainability regulations, support for innovation ecosystems and mechanisms to ensure the credibility of SDG disclosures.

Originality/value: To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research presents the first comprehensive mapping of SDG-related management literature, offering a novel conceptual model that illustrates the interconnected roles of institutions, stakeholders and businesses in fostering SDG-aligned strategies.