Purpose: This study aims to analyse how and to what extent stakeholder interaction for sustainability is implemented in organisations and the linkages to the overarching interaction efforts.

Design/methodology/approach: This study was conducted in the context of seaports. To examine interaction activities with stakeholders for sustainability and how they are implemented, the study uses content analysis of sustainability reports.

Findings: The results show that the majority of ports recognise the importance of stakeholder interaction to create value and guide organisational sustainability; however, it is implemented to varying levels and degrees, which affects the form and extent of the overarching interaction efforts. The paper proposes four categories of implementing stakeholder interaction, showing the linkages to the number of stakeholder groups involved, sustainability dimensions covered and interaction approaches used.

Originality/value: This paper contributes to sustainability, stakeholder and management literature by highlighting different levels of implementation of stakeholder interaction for sustainability and its linkages to overarching efforts that may affect the sustainable development of an organisation. The results of this study provide a better understanding of stakeholder interaction within organisational sustainability approaches and implementation in sustainability-oriented business models. As organisations seek to increase their sustainability performance, these insights may be useful for both academia and practice.