Green culture, environmental innovativeness, green intellectual capital and circular economy implementation behaviour: A sequential mediation model

Abstract

Although corporations have been propelled to adapt eco-innovation strategies including decent work practices, responsible consumption and production, and transition from linear economy to circular economy model to integrate natural ecosystems, businesses, and waste management, inversely, the actual impact of the circular economy implementation (CEI) in Ghana is yet to be felt. This paper aims to analyse the implications of corporate green culture (CGC) on CEI behaviour, and to design a model that explains the mediating roles of environmental innovativeness (EI) and green intellectual capital (GIC) on the relation between CGC and CEI behaviour from the perspective of a lower resource economy context. Our paper is positioned on positivists’ reasoning and quantitative research approach. A survey-based structured questionnaire has been used to collect data from 300 manufacturing firms in Ghana. Our hypotheses have been tested with the aid of SMART-PLS and structural equation modelling. The indicative results have shown that CGC positively affect CEI behaviour. Moreover, EI and GIC have significant and positive effects on CEI behaviour, Besides, GIC serves as a medium through which CGC indirectly impacts on CEI behaviour. The implications of the study include the emergence of baseline model to encourage CEI behaviour in Ghana and other Sub-Saharan African countries. The paper recommends that the newly developed model be used by practitioners to explain coordinated economic, ecological and social development, and restore ecological environment. Policymakers are encouraged to facilitate the reinforcement of environmental policies and subsequent realization of Sustainable Development Goals.