Can AI truly drive sustainability, or is green intellectual capital the key? Investigating their two-way relationship in the GHRM–performance link

Purpose This study aims to investigate pathways to enhancing sustainable organizational performance (SOP) by fostering green intellectual capital (GIC) through the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and green human resource management (GHRM). Design/methodology/approach This study uses a quantitative research design with survey data from 731 employees and 110 direct managers of information technology firms in Vietnam. Data were collected in two waves via LinkedIn to reduce common method bias and improve response quality. Analysis was conducted using multigroup structural equation modelling (SEM) in R with the lavaan package. Findings The study shows that the relationship between GHRM and SOP is mediated by all three components of GIC: green human capital, green structural capital, and green relational capital. Furthermore, AI is found to negatively impact green structural capital, although this effect is reduced with higher levels of GHRM. Originality/value The study contributes to existing literature on GHRM by considering a potential mediating role of GIC in the relationship between GHRM and SOP. The research further extends this view to include AI’s potential moderating effect on the relationship between GHRM and the individual components of GIC. The findings offer insight into why AI may fail to translate into more favourable green outcomes. While previous research has investigated the direct effects of AI, this is the first study to explore the moderating role of AI in the GHRM–GIC relationship.