The impact of knowledge management on sustainable performance with mediation effect of green innovation in Malaysian SMEs

Purpose This study aims to investigate the emerging and attractive phenomenon of sustainable performance influenced by the role of effective knowledge management with the mediation effect of green innovation. This study incorporated the formative construct of knowledge management, which consists of knowledge creation, acquisition, knowledge sharing and knowledge application that collectively predict sustainable performance and enable the firms to become innovative under a greening perspective. This study contributed to the body of knowledge by explaining the effect and influence of knowledge management practices and greening perspective on sustaining performance. Design/methodology/approach The empirical evidence of this relationship is examined in the current research to establish effective knowledge management practices for ensuring sustainability in Malaysia’s production and service industry. The data was collected from individuals from Malaysia’s small and medium enterprise (SME) sector by using a convenience sampling technique, and analysis was performed by using the SmartPLS4. Findings This study’s results revealed that knowledge management influences performance by inclusion of green practices. Similarly, green innovation predicts sustainable performance; finally, green innovation mediates the relationship between knowledge management and sustainable performance. Organizations are required to ensure knowledge management practices, including the creation of knowledge, acquisition, sharing and application of knowledge to sustain performance, with a mediation effect and an essential element of green innovation that empirically explains the association between knowledge management practices and performance. Research limitations/implications The scope of research is limited and restricts the capacity of findings for a broader context inside Malaysia. There is a need to consider the organizational culture, contextual elements and leadership styles in investigating and explaining the critical phenomenon of sustainable performance. Practical implications Organizations are required to ensure knowledge management practices, including the creation of knowledge, acquisition, sharing and application of knowledge to sustain performance, with a mediation effect and an essential element of green innovation that empirically explains the association between knowledge management practices and performance. Social implications Sustainable performance has the potential to increase the economic, social and environmental concerns of the firm, as strategies must be performance-centric to achieve the objectives. This research effort can assist Malaysia’s SME sector from various perspectives. This study provides the basis for taking the initiatives for knowledge management by focusing on creation, acquisition, sharing and application practices for achieving sustainable performance. This study incorporated the emerging concept of green innovation for its actions and strategies to achieve sustainable performance, and the actions of firms to adopt and implement the green practices that influence sustainable performance. Originality/value The framework for this study is novel. This study has been conducted to determine the sustainable business performance influenced by knowledge management, technological advancements and green supply chain management, moderated by leadership support. This study incorporated the formative construct of knowledge management, which consists of knowledge creation, acquisition, knowledge sharing and knowledge application that collectively predict sustainable performance and enable the firms to become innovative under a greening perspective. This study contributed to the body of knowledge by explaining the effect and influence of knowledge management practices and greening perspective on sustaining performance.