Integrating organizational green culture and practices for sustainable performance in manufacturing companies: a PLS-SEM and ANN approach

Purpose This study, grounded in the natural resource-based view (NRBV) theory, aims to investigate how green practices influence firms’ sustainable performance (SP), and to examine the roles of organisational green culture (OGC) and corporate green image (CGI) in this relationship. Design/methodology/approach A quantitative approach was adopted, with data collected from 364 manufacturing enterprises in China. To assess the relationships between OGC, green practices and SP, the study used partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques, combining both linear and non-linear analyses. Findings Organisational green culture significantly promotes the adoption of green human resource management (GHRM) practices, green supply chain management (GSCM) practices and green innovation, all of which positively enhance sustainable performance. Moreover, corporate green image strengthens the impact of these green practices on sustainable performance, indicating that firms with a well-established CGI achieve superior performance outcomes. Originality/value This study contributes to the theoretical development of the NRBV theory by applying it to OGC and SP within the manufacturing sector. It emphasises the importance of GHRM practices in promoting employee engagement with environmental objectives. By combining PLS-SEM and ANN techniques, the study provides deeper insights into how cultural and reputational factors influence sustainable outcomes, offering strategic guidance for human resource practitioners and decision-makers aiming to align organisational, managerial and employee needs for optimal SP.