Sustainable futures: leveraging green intellectual capital, HRM, innovation and leadership

Purpose Achieving sustainability goals for manufacturing firms depends on green human resource management practices and green intellectual capital. This study explores how sustainable approaches, such as green human resource management practices, green intellectual capital, sustainable leadership and green innovation, enhance sustainable performance. Therefore, this study aims to determine whether green intellectual capital and innovation mediate between green human resources management practices and sustainable performance in Pakistan’s manufacturing industry. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected from 458 executives representing 155 (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector in Pakistan using a self-administered questionnaire. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was employed for the data analysis. Findings The results indicated that green human resource management practices positively impact green intellectual capital, green innovation and sustainable performance. Additionally, green intellectual capital significantly affects both green innovation and sustainable performance. Furthermore, green intellectual capital and innovation mediate the relationship between green human resource management practices and sustainable performance. Results also reveal that sustainable leadership significantly moderates the relationships between green human resource management practices, green intellectual capital and green innovation. Practical implications The results of this study assist practitioners in appreciating and assessing the significance of green intellectual capital and green human resource management techniques. It also emphasizes the importance of green innovation and sustainable leadership in fostering sustainable performance. Originality/value This study guides managers and policymakers on how green human resource management practices, intellectual capital, innovation and sustainable leadership enable firms to achieve sustainable performance goals.