What do we know about climate change and multinational enterprises?: A systematic review and an integrated theoretical framework for future research

• Multinational enterprises (MNEs) play different roles in climate change. • This study systematically reviews what has been researched on climate change and MNEs. • It suggests several themes and theoretical angles for future research. • Future research can examine the types of legitimacy MNEs seek that underpin their climate change strategy and action. Multinational enterprises’ (MNEs) strategy and actions to deal with climate change have increasingly attracted research and practical attention since the 2000s, although the literature is rather fragmented. Based on a systematic review of 182 articles published between January 1976 and January 2024, we provide a comprehensive review to identify the theories used in research on climate change and the role of MNEs. It is recognized that much of the literature on business and climate change remains concentrated in specialized journals, many of which are relatively modestly ranked according to various journal guides. We offer an integrated framework for future research on climate change and MNEs, underpinned by a contextual approach and legitimacy theory, and indicate several research themes for future investigations. We call for more research on the topic from the international business and management field. Our review study contributes to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 1—Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts—by generating research insights and challenging the status quo that have policy implications and societal relevance.