Abstract

This paper provides a structured academic analysis of sustainable development, sustainable entrepreneurship, and the role of institutional support in fostering sustainable practices within organizations in North Macedonia. The study integrates conceptual insights with empirical evidence derived from a survey of 107 organizations across multiple sectors. It argues that sustainability should not be perceived as a peripheral or symbolic activity, but rather as a strategic framework that integrates economic performance, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship into core organizational decision-making. The empirical findings demonstrate that institutional support plays a critical role in enabling the adoption and development of sustainable practices. Financial support mechanisms—such as grants, subsidies, and access to capital—are positively associated with improvements in environmental management systems, energy efficiency, and the measurement of social and environmental impact. However, the analysis reveals that non-financial support, including training, consultancy, and knowledge transfer, exhibits even stronger correlations with sustainability implementation. This suggests that organizational capability-building and access to expertise are essential for translating sustainability commitments into operational practices. The study concludes that the advancement of sustainable organizational development in North Macedonia requires a coordinated and comprehensive institutional approach. This includes enhanced policy alignment, improved accessibility of financial instruments, strengthened advisory and educational support, and the establishment of clear standards and long-term strategic commitment to sustainability. The findings contribute to both academic literature and policy discourse by emphasizing that effective sustainability transitions depend on the interplay between organizational strategy and institutional capacity.