Sustainable strategic management (SSM) has emerged as a pivotal concern for global companies, as enterprises strive to reconcile economic advancement with environmental conservation and social accountability. This is predominantly appropriate in the Zimbabwean food industry (FI) owing to its substantial influence on the national economy and its potential effects on food security along with environmental sustainability. The stakeholder framework, encompassing SSM practices, SSM drivers and Dynamic Capabilities, is vital for the effective execution of justifiable plans. The Zimbabwean food sector encounters food scarcity which is caused by distinct difficulties, such as lack of strategic management, economic volatility, climate change, and resource depletion, which require a comprehensive stakeholder structure to guarantee sustainability. This study seeks to provide a stakeholder framework for SSM in the Zimbabwean food sector, offering insights on enhancing the alignment of strategic management with sustainability objectives. This linkage is necessary for the business’s long-standing sustainability and its role in national development goals and global sustainability objectives. This project enhances the knowledge base in Zimbabwe by identifying potential areas for revitalizing food production and sustainability. The study will employ equally qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The quantitative exploration approach utilized stratified random sampling, whereas the qualitative research strategy will employ purposive sampling. Thematic analysis was employed to detect and interpret patterns in qualitative data analysis. The framework developed in this study targets at enhancing policy formulation and development within the food industry in the long run.
Keywords: Stakeholder framework, Strategic Management, food industry, sustainability goals
