This study delves into the nuanced impact of leadership styles on state-owned enterprises (SOEs) performance in Northeast China. It aims to discern how transformational, transactional, and authoritative leadership approaches influence organizational outcomes, framed within the context of sustainable leadership theory. Employing a quantitative methodology, the research analyzes survey data from employees across various SOEs to assess the relationship between leadership styles and company performance, including aspects such as job satisfaction, employee motivation, and operational efficiency. The findings reveal a clear dichotomy: transformational and transactional leadership styles positively correlate with improved performance metrics, fostering an environment of innovation, motivation, and job satisfaction. Conversely, authoritative leadership is shown to detrimentally affect these same metrics, potentially hindering organizational growth and employee morale. This research contributes to the broader discourse on leadership and organizational performance by highlighting the critical role of leadership style in enhancing the sustainable development of SOEs, particularly within China’s socio-political and economic fabric. Practical implications suggest a shift towards more adaptive, employee-centered leadership approaches to spur performance and sustainability in SOEs. The originality of this study lies in its specific focus on the Chinese context, offering insights into the leadership dynamics within SOEs and proposing actionable strategies for fostering leadership that align with sustainability and organizational excellence principles.

The sustainable development of the global economy and society necessitates the integration of environmental and socially responsible management, known as ESG (environmental, social, and corporate governance). Despite growing recognition of ESG’s importance, the strategic management of ESG factors in Kazakhstan’s telecommunications industry remains underexplored. This study bridges this gap by analyzing Kazakh telecom’s ESG strategies from 2019 to 2021 through a cross-sectional design and semi-structured interviews with 12 industry experts. Utilizing the National Rating Agency (NRA) methodology, the research evaluates environmental, social, and governance variables. Key findings reveal that Kazakh telecom excels in “Climate Change” and “Human Capital Management” but needs significant improvements in “Environmental Impact” and “Society.” The study offers specific recommendations such as enhancing corporate volunteering, responsible marketing, service quality, and integrating sustainable practices. The primary contributions of this research include actionable insights for improving ESG strategies in telecommunications companies and advocating for more systematic and standardized ESG assessment approaches. This study expands the understanding of how ESG principles can enhance competitiveness and sustainable development in the telecommunications industry, providing valuable guidance for industry practitioners and policymakers. It offers insights into effective ESG implementation practices and highlights critical areas requiring attention to drive sustainable development in telecommunications.