The Mediating Role of Strategic Management in the Relationship between Environmental Protection, Sustainable Performance and Competitive Advantage

Abstract

This study provides a holistic introduction to the interconnected concepts of strategic management and sustainability, emphasizing their pivotal role in organizational success in achieving sustainable development. The integration of sustainability into strategic management is explored for its benefits in goal alignment, efficient resource allocation, and addressing key challenges, particularly through a lens of social responsibility, economic viability, and environmental protection.  The research aims to investigate the relationship between strategic management, performance, and sustainable development in the UAE, addressing challenges and offering insights for both academic research and practical policymaking. The narrative extends to the United Arab Emirates, examining how strategic management contributes to sustainable development goals, with a focus on the government's strategic planning and resource allocation. A quantitative approach was adopted, and data was collected from 397 employees in UAE government institutions using a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS and PLS-SEM through SmartPLS. The findings showed that strategic management significantly influenced environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic performance. These three dimensions also had significant effects on sustainable performance, which in turn positively affected sustainable development. The mediation results confirmed that sustainable performance played an important mediating role. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on how strategic management supports sustainable development in the UAE public sector and offers practical insights for improving sustainability-oriented government practices.