Pathways to Sustainability in <scp>SMEs</scp> : The Role of Green Behavioral Intention and Technology Adoption

ABSTRACT Climate change, resource scarcity, and rising societal expectations have made sustainability a strategic imperative for firms worldwide. To address these global challenges, organizations are increasingly embedding environmental principles into their operations and adopting green technologies as a pathway to balance economic growth with ecological responsibility. This study examines the factors influencing green technology adoption among small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries, focusing on Türkiye, and explores how such adoption contributes to economic, social, and environmental sustainability performance. Guided by the TOE framework, dynamic capabilities theory, and institutional theory, survey data from 368 SME owners and managers were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS‐SEM). The findings show that green technology adoption significantly enhances sustainability outcomes. This study contributes to the limited literature on SME‐focused green technology adoption. It contributes original empirical evidence from an emerging economy and highlights the mediating roles of green behavioral intention and green technology adoption. Practically, the study implies that managers should view green technology not merely as compliance but as a strategic tool for resilience. By demonstrating how adoption drives multi‐dimensional performance, the findings valorize the role of SMEs as foundational pillars in building sustainable communities, suggesting that policymakers must foster mimetic ecosystems where green success stories can be easily replicated.