Green knowledge management practices and green innovation: unveiling the mediating influence of green culture and green entrepreneurial self-efficacy

Purpose In this era, the knowledge economy is a significant tool in tackling issues of organizations’ sustainability and achieving sustainable development goals. In this study of Saudi Arabia’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the authors explored the effect of green knowledge management (GKM) practices on green innovation (GI) through adopting a green culture (GC) and green entrepreneurial self-efficacy (GESE). Design/methodology/approach In this co-relational study, the authors used cross-sectional data from Saudi Arabia’s top SME managers and based the findings on 368 valid samples. Findings Using structural equation modeling, this study’s findings demonstrate that GKM constructs, such as green knowledge acquisition (GKA), green knowledge dissemination (GKD) and green knowledge responsiveness (GKR), have a positive and significant effect on GI. Moreover, GI positively and significantly affects GC and GESE. Finally, GC and GESE mediate GKA’s, GKD’s and GKR’s relationships with GI. Practical implications The study’s findings assist in tackling environmental sustainability challenges and help achieve sustainable development goals. These also strengthen organizational capabilities to achieve GI. Accordingly, the authors recommend that policymakers and planners develop a wide range of GKM settings for organizations, businesses, communities and governments to tackle the issues of GI and GC. Originality/value This study empirically fills the gaps by demonstrating the role of GC and GESE in developing the connection between GKM practices and GI and, more specifically, Saudi Arabia’s SMEs.