Linking green intellectual capital and sustainable performance through a meta-analysis synthesis

Purpose This study investigates the impact of green intellectual capital (IC) on the economic, social, and environmental sustainability performance of manufacturing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan–an emerging Asian economy–and the mediating effect of sustainable business model innovation (SBMI). It also examines the moderating effect of green dynamic capability (GDC) on the relationship between green IC and SBMI. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through a survey completed by 324 owners and top managers of manufacturing SMEs in four Pakistani cities. A purposive and snowball sampling approach was used to gather the data. A dual-stage methodological approach (a combination of PLS-SEM and artificial neural networks) was applied to capture both linear connections and complex, hidden, nonlinear patterns between variables. Regression analysis was used to verify the results. Findings The findings indicate that green IC positively contributes to manufacturing SMEs' economic sustainability performance (ECSP), social sustainability performance (SSP), and environmental sustainability performance (ESP) in an emerging Asian economy. SBMI appears to mediate these relationships. Furthermore, GDC strengthens green IC's positive effect on SBMI adoption. The artificial neural network results indicate that green human capital has the highest positive influence on ECSP and SSP, suggesting its pivotal role in achieving SMEs' economic and social sustainability goals. However, green relational capital was identified as having the strongest effect on ESP, indicating its crucial role in driving environmental sustainability in SMEs. Originality/value The present study is a pioneering effort because, to the best of our knowledge, green IC, SBMI, and GDC have never been systematically tested with the ECSP, SSP and ESP of manufacturing SMEs, nor has their predictive ability been analyzed in an emerging Asian economy. Second, this study divulges the mediating role of SBMI in the relationship between green IC and sustainability performance in an emerging market. Third, it adds to the literature by examining the moderating role of GDC in the link between green IC and SBMI and provides valuable insights into how green IC and GDC interact to foster SBMI adoption. Fourth, the study enriches the resource-based view literature by integrating green IC, SBMI, GDC and sustainability performance. Finally, the study is unique in its use of a dual-stage methodological approach consisting of structural equation modeling and artificial neural networks to capture both linear connections and complicated, hidden, nonlinear patterns that conventional statistical approaches might overlook. No study had analytically assessed how the dimensions of green IC affect the ECSP, SSP and ESP of SMEs by employing this hybrid approach so far.

Aim of the study was to investigate the indirect effect of green intellectual capital (GIC) on relationship between environmental corporate social responsibility (ECSR) and sustainable economic, environmental and social performance. This study shows that how Successful businesses have also included corporate social responsibility (CSR) development into their common vision and acknowledged CSR as a sustainable development strategy that benefits society while also strengthening their own competitiveedge. Companies are consequently becoming more concerned with environmental issues and incorporating environmental protection into their corporate social responsibility, enabling them to increase productivity while reducing waste and emissions to the greatest extent possible. In this study Survey was used to collect the primary data. Non probability convenience sampling was used. PLS-SEM was used for analysis of data. Results indicates that scales are found reliable and valid while GIC only mediates between ECSR and social sustainable performance but do not mediate between environmental and economic performance. Policy makers and managers can raise awareness about importance of ECSR and GIC to obtain sustainability.

PurposeThe study aims to investigate the relationships between green intellectual capital, green human resource management (HRM), and sustainability.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on information gathered from 112 large Malaysian manufacturing companies.FindingsThe study findings revealed that green human capital and green relational capital positively influence green HRM. In addition, green HRM positively related to social, environmental and economic performance. Besides, green HRM positively mediates the relationships between green human capital and economic, social and environmental performance. Finally, green relational capital improves sustainability (economic, environmental, and social performance) mediated by green HRM.Originality/valueThe current study contributes to the literature by examining green IC (green human capital, green structural capital, and green relational capital) as an independent variable and green HRM as a mediating variable for sustainability (economic, environmental, and social performance). The findings and recommended for the managers of large manufacturing firms and practitioners to invest in green IC to achieve sustainability through green HRM.

Unlocking new opportunities in the industry 4.0 era, exploring the critical impact of digital technology on sustainable performance and the mediating role of GSCM practices

Purpose Grounded in the resource-based view (RBV), stakeholder theory and contingency theory, the present investigation examines the significance of green intellectual capital (GIC) – which encompasses green human capital (GHC), green structural capital (GSC) and green relational capital (GRC) – as a strategic asset for the enhancement of sustainable performance. This study addresses a critical gap in current research by extending the analysis of GIC from manufacturing to the underexplored hotel industry. Additionally, it explores the moderating influences of hotel star rating, geographic location, workforce diversity and regulatory environment. Design/methodology/approach Empirical data were collected from a sample of 520 hotel professionals across Thailand and subsequently examined using a second-order construct framework through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to validate both first- and second-order constructs. Findings The results substantiate that GIC markedly augments economic, social and environmental performance. Moreover, the research elucidates the moderating effects of contextual factors, such as hotel star rating, workforce diversity and regulatory environment, in shaping the relationship between GIC and sustainable performance. However, geographic location was found to be an insignificant moderator, likely due to uniform regulatory practices within the country. Practical implications Hotel managers should realize the strategic significance of GIC in optimizing resource efficiency, fortifying stakeholder collaboration and advancing sustainability-driven innovation. Given the study’s focus on large hotels in Thailand, caution is advised when generalizing the findings to smaller-scale or international contexts. Originality/value This study offers theoretical contributions by extending the discourse on GIC beyond manufacturing contexts into service industries. It further demonstrates how integrating RBV, stakeholder theory and contingency theory can enrich our understanding of how GIC contributes to sustainable performance within dynamic organizational environments. It also provides practical implications for hotel managers and policymakers, advocating for the integration of sustainability-oriented intellectual resources into organizational strategies and decision-making processes.

Purpose This study aims to explore the relationship between green intellectual capital (GIC) and social performance in small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam. Specifically, it examines how three components of GIC, green human capital, green structural capital and green relational capital, influence social performance through the mediating roles of green knowledge sharing and green innovation. Design/methodology/approach The research uses a quantitative approach, using partial least squares structural equation modeling to analyze data collected from 508 valid responses of small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam. The study applies a sequential mediation analysis to assess the roles of green knowledge sharing and green innovation as mediating mechanisms on the relationship between GIC components and social performance. Findings The findings of the current study show that green knowledge sharing and green innovation are significant mediators between GIC components (green human capital, green structural capital and green relational capital) and social performance. This research shows that GIC enhances social performance through a process that begins with the development of green knowledge-sharing practices, which foster green innovation. Moreover, these innovations lead to enhanced social performance of organizations as they fulfill the expectation of their stakeholders and improve their corporate social responsibility performance. Originality/value This study advances GIC research by moving beyond the field’s dominant emphasis on environmental and financial outcomes to examine social performance, which remains comparatively underexplored in prior GIC work. In contrast to studies that test GIC’s direct effects or consider knowledge sharing or innovation as isolated mechanisms, the model theorizes and validates a sequential process in which GIC (via its human, structural and relational dimensions) strengthens green knowledge sharing, which then facilitates green innovation, culminating in enhanced social performance in Vietnamese small and medium-sized enterprises. By identifying this pathway, the study clarifies how GIC is transformed into social sustainability benefits and offers a process-based explanation that complements and extends existing GIC-performance research.

This study examines the effect of dynamic capabilities (DCs) on economic performance (ECOP), social performance (SOP), and environmental performance (ENVP) under different levels of environmental dynamism (EnvD). Based on preliminary interviews and survey data collected from Norwegian fishing firms, the analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling and necessary conditions analysis. The results show that firms that acquire a set of DCs are more likely to improve their economic, social, and environmental sustainability performance. More so, firms' economic performance is a necessary condition for social performance, but not for ENVP. Interestingly, the results show that the effect of DCs on economic and environmental sustainability performance is even stronger when the level of EnvD is higher. However, EnvD does not have a significant effect on the relationship between DCs and social sustainability performance. Our findings provide guidance to managers on how and when to invest in and leverage DCs to improve sustainability performance in the food industry.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of green intellectual capital (GIC) on environmental sustainability performance (ESP) among companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE). This study further investigates the mediating role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in this relationship. This research seeks to elucidate the effects of GIC components – green human capital (GHC), green structural capital (GSC) and green relational capital (GRC) – on ESP. Design/methodology/approach This study used a mixed-method approach, collecting data from 246 managers of ASE-listed firms. Using partial least squares structural equation modeling, this research tested the direct and mediated relationships between GIC, CSR and ESP. Findings The results of this study reveal a significant positive relationship between GIC and ESP, particularly through the contributions of GHC and GSC. CSR is identified as a critical mediator, amplifying the positive effects of GIC on ESP. Notably, GRC exhibited no significant direct or mediated influence on ESP. Research limitations/implications This study is geographically limited to an emerging market context and focuses on managerial perspectives. Future research should explore broader geographic contexts, include diverse stakeholders and examine the role of organizational culture in enhancing the GIC–ESP dynamic. Practical implications This research provides actionable insights for human resource and sustainability managers. By leveraging GIC components and fostering CSR initiatives, organizations in emerging markets can enhance both environmental sustainability and corporate performance. Social implications The findings of this study underscore the importance of embedding environmental responsibility within organizational practices to create a sustainable working environment, benefiting employees and the broader community. Originality/value This study offers novel insights into the interplay between GIC, CSR and ESP, highlighting the strategic value of intellectual capital (IC) in driving environmental and organizational performance. This study bridges key gaps in the literature on sustainability in emerging markets.

In today’s competitive landscape, the role of Green Intellectual Capital in driving Sustainable Organizational Performance is receiving increasing attention. Organizations are under pressure to adopt sustainable practices, so exploring the influence of intellectual capital on performance is important. This study aims to examine the effect of Green Intellectual Capital consisting of Green Human Capital, Green Relational Capital and Green Structural Capital on Sustainable Organizational Performance, with Green Innovation Behavior as a mediating variable and Perceived Green Organizational Support as a moderating factor. The research design used was quantitative involving 200 millennial managers and the data was analysed using Partial Least Squares (PLS). The results show that to achieve sustainable organizational performance, millennial managers need to focus their efforts on improving Green Structural Capital and encouraging Green Innovation Behavior. In addition, the development of Gren Human Capital and Green Relational Capital should be geared towards increasing Green Innovation as a pathway to achieving sustainability goals. Perceived Green Organizational Support is not enough to strengthen the relationship of innovation and performance, so a more holistic approach in promoting sustainability across the organization is needed. The novelty of this research lies in its focus on millennial managers and the complex interconnectedness of different components of Green Intellectual Capital. The findings suggest that organizations should prioritize increasing Green Structural Capital and encouraging Green Innovation Behaviors. Future research should explore other moderating factors, such as leadership style, to deepen understanding of the conditions that amplify the impact of green innovation on sustainable performance.

The paper aims to understand the relation of customer relationship management (CRM) stages on the belief about sustainable performance, along with brand images and values as moderating factors and covariates. CRM stages have positive effect on SCP, and cause negative effect on social and environmental performance. The individual values give more preference for initiation and maintenance relationships then social values, and values do not show any significant relation with termination. Values also have moderate positive effect on beliefs. So, its moderating affect along with CRM stages indicates that social values affect only social and environmental performance either with initiation or maintenance. While individual values affect only economic performance either with initiation or maintenance. Brand images also moderated with CRM stages, to evaluate brand affect, which indicates that social brand image strongly effect on economic, social and environmental performance, rather than sensory brand image moderating effect on economic and social performance only.

As an important strategic decision for enterprise sustainability, the green entrepreneurial orientation can facilitate boundary-spanning search for external knowledge and resources to achieve triadic sustainable economic, environmental, and social performance. Based on organizational search theory and dynamic capability theory, this study introduces environmental dynamism into the model of the relationship between green entrepreneurial orientation, boundary-spanning search and enterprise triadic sustainable performance. By analyzing the questionnaire data from 202 managers of manufacturing SMEs, the study explores the internal and external influences of green entrepreneurial orientation on the enterprise sustainable performance. The results show that: green entrepreneurial orientation has a positive impact on enterprise economic, environmental and social performance; boundary-spanning search plays a fully mediating role between green entrepreneurial orientation and enterprise economic, environmental and social performance; environmental dynamism, as a key external environmental factor, positively regulates the relationship between boundary-spanning search and enterprise economic performance and environmental performance, and negatively regulates the relationship between boundary-spanning search and social performance. This study clearly demonstrates how green entrepreneurial orientation in the environmental era can drive triadic sustainable performance improvement of enterprises. In addition, this study argues that boundary-spanning search is an important tool that enables manufacturing SMEs to achieve a triad of coordinated sustainable development of economic, environmental and social benefits in a dynamic environment.

PurposeThe survival and growth of the ready-made garments (RMGs) sectors in Bangladesh depend on sustainable supply chain performance (SSCP). The purpose of this study is to analyse the effects of Internet of Things (IoT), supply chain collaboration and ethical sensitivity on SSCP. Also, supply chain dynamism was tested as a moderator.Design/methodology/approachThe framework of this study has been developed to enrich the understanding of technology usage in the supply chain. In developing the framework, previous studies in the supply chain context were considered. The model was tested by using data collected from 290 executives that were employed by different RMG companies in Bangladesh. This study used a 29-item structured questionnaire measured on a 6-point Likert scale to collect the data. Covariance-based structural equation modelling (SEM) was utilised to test the data.FindingsThe results showed that there were statistically significant and positive relationships between IoT and supply chain collaboration, social performance, economic performance and environmental performance. Ethical sensitivity also influenced social and economic performance. Supply chain collaboration was found to be related to social, economic and environmental performance. However, no link was found between ethical sensitivity and environmental performance. The result also showed that supply chain dynamism acted as a moderator.Research limitations/implicationsBy considering theories and interpreting the results, this study provides some theoretical and practical implications which will enhance the SSCP. The results can also facilitate strategic planning by companies.Originality/valueThis research has identified and analysed the effect of IoT on SSCP in the RMGs industry in Bangladesh where this industry serves as the main economic contributor.

This research investigated the relationship between the green intellectual capital (GIC) and the sustainable performance in Algeria’s waste recycling management sector. Acknowledging the importance of Global Information Communication (GIC) in achieving organizational success, this research investigates how it is utilized and its effects. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) with the PLS-V3 software, the study examines information gathered from 400 entrepreneurs who oversee waste recycling businesses in Algeria. The study focused on three primary components of GIC: green relational capital, green structural capital, and green human capital. The hypotheses were formulated to assess the influence of each component on sustainable performance. The results supported all four proposed hypotheses, showing a positive link between the Green Intellectual Capital (GIC) and the sustainable performance. Specifically, the combined effects of relational, structural, and human capital enhanced sustainability outcomes. The research showed the significance of the waste recycling industry implementing strategies that make the most of Green Intangible Capital (GIC) elements. This includes connecting with stakeholders who prioritize environmental preservation, sharing knowledge, and working together. Green structural capital refers to the systems and processes that support eco-friendly practices, like environmental management systems and sustainable supply chain management. Green human capital focuses on employees' skills and knowledge in sustainability, highlighting the importance of training and opportunities for professional development. This study adds value to existing knowledge by clarifying how GIC plays a role in fostering a future. It offers insights for waste recycling firms, policymakers, and other interested parties in Algeria and beyond. By emphasising the significance of GIC in achieving performance, this research provides practical implications for crafting strategies and policies that leverage green intellectual assets for economic and environmental advantages. The study underscored organisations’ need to invest in nurturing their GIC to promote sustainable business practices and attain enduring success.

"Green practices have been widely accepted and supported universally, particularly in today’s highly environmentally conscious era. Since the world was hit by the deadly Covid-19 virus, which spread rapidly through the unhygienic environment, going green or protecting the environment is becoming popular among industries. Tourism nowadays is no longer a conservative industry that merely provides tourism activities, and it is now also associated with sustainable practices. As widely known, intellectual capital (IC) is crucial in a firm, and efficiently utilizing it will improve its performance. Human Capital (HC), Structural Capital (SC), and Relational Capital (RC) are the three components of intellectual capital. HC is the knowledge and skills owned by the employees. SC is the supportive infrastructure, strategies and know-how that belongs to the organisation. RC is the relationship between the firm and its stakeholders. This study examines the relationship between Green Intellectual Capital (GIC) and the sustainable performance of hotels in Malaysia. GIC embeds the elements of green practices and environmental awareness knowledge. Survey instruments were distributed to the managers of hotels that applied green practices in Malaysia according to the trip advisor listing. 91 respondents participated in the survey. The study found that GIC has a significant positive relationship with sustainable performance. The result portrays that GIC is a significant business asset of hotels in Malaysia which enhances the performance of hotels in Malaysia. It was proven that GIC is not only crucial for the performance of manufacturing organizations, but the application of GIC is also a competitive advantage in servicing and hospitality industries like hotels and resorts."

This study investigates the relationship between green human capital, green operational capital, green intellectual capital, and organisational operational efficiency. It also investigates the function of green intellectual capital in moderating these interactions. Green human capital relates to individuals’ environmental knowledge and abilities, whereas green operational capital refers to the physical resources and technologies that support sustainable operations. Green intellectual capital refers to an organisation’s collective environmental knowledge, innovative thinking, and capacities. The study emphasises the interdependence of these variables and their impact on operational efficiency. Green intellectual capital, it is discovered, mediates the linkages between green human capital and operational efficiency, as well as green operational capital and operational efficiency. The findings highlight the necessity of cultivating a sustainable culture and investing in developing green resources and competencies to improve operational efficiency. This study adds to the body of knowledge on green management and offers useful insights for organisations seeking to establish sustainable operational practices and competitive advantages.