The Role of Corporate Management Strategies in Achieving Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Development: An Empirical Analysis Based on Energy-Intensive Industries in the Emerging Seven (E7) Countries

The Emerging Seven (E7) nations face challenges in balancing economic growth and sustainability amid rapid industrialization. This study examines the roles of economic growth (EG), resource exploitation (RE), corporate management strategies (CMS), sustainable innovations (SI), industrialization (IND), and human empowerment (HE) in shaping energy efficiency (EE) and sustainable development (SD) from 1996 to 2022. Using the method of moments quantile regression (MMQR), this study captures heterogeneous effects across different performance levels. Robustness checks with the augmented mean group (AMG), common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG), and fixed effects (FE) models confirmed result stability, while Granger causality analysis revealed directional relationships. Findings indicated that RE and CMS enhance EE and SD, whereas IND hinders environmental conservation. EG improves EE at higher quantiles but negatively impacts SD in resource-dependent economies. SI supports EE but may create ecological constraints, requiring balanced policies. HE significantly boosts EE in developed regions though its influence on SD varies. These results align with the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) and governance theories, emphasizing the need for tailored policies. Strategic investment into green technologies, regulatory reforms, and human capital are essential for integrating economic growth with environmental sustainability in E7 nations.