Integrating green leadership, knowledge management and creativity: pathways to enhancing green intellectual capital and its dimensions

Purpose Environmental pressures have influenced all areas of businesses, including human resources and leadership, equally. This study examines how green knowledge management impacts green creativity, mediated by green intellectual capital and green leadership in Saudi Arabia’s education sector. Design/methodology/approach Using a quantitative approach, the study surveyed 442 faculty members across seven cities in Saudi Arabia, employing tools like SPSS and SmartPLS for data analysis. The research model aligns with the resource-based view, emphasizing green intellectual capital as a valuable resource. Findings indicate that green knowledge management positively affects green creativity, strengthened through the mediating roles of green intellectual capital and green leadership. Findings Findings underscore that green human, structural, and relational capital contribute significantly to fostering green creativity within educational institutions. The study contributes both theoretically by expanding the RBV framework within the education sector and practically by offering insights for implementing sustainable practices aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Originality/value This research highlights the need for educational institutions to enhance green knowledge management and leadership to improve sustainability outcomes, thereby supporting broader environmental and economic goals.