Technological opportunism on green innovation and the ambivalent effect of atmospheric quality perception

Despite the growing body of literature on innovation studies, there remains a paucity of research examining the role of government support and air quality perception when investigating the drivers of green innovation within the manufacturing industry in emerging economies. This article introduces technological opportunism as an antecedent of green innovation adoption and examines government support and air quality as moderators. It considers the relationships between green innovation and cost performance, supplier trust, government legitimacy and public reputation. By analyzing both cross-sectional and longitudinal data, the results reveal that technological opportunism significantly contributes to green innovation adoption, with government support amplifying this effect. The interaction effect of air quality, however, presented contrasting results. While technology-sensing capability positively influences green innovation in low-pollution contexts, its effect diminishes in high-pollution scenarios. Conversely, technology-response capability has an insignificant positive effect on green innovation when air pollution is low but a significant positive effect when air pollution is high. The longitudinal study further corroborates that green innovation adoption enhances corporate image and reduces operational costs over time. This study provides empirical evidence for policymakers and practitioners aiming to embrace sustainable practices and innovations. © 2025 China Science Publishing & Media Ltd.