When Co‐Creation Falls Short in Institutionally Thin Environments: How Green Finance and Sustainability Governance Unlock Environmental Innovation

ABSTRACT Amid escalating environmental challenges, small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in institutionally thin environments face increasing pressure to innovate sustainably, yet many struggle to convert stakeholder collaboration into measurable environmental outcomes. Accordingly, this study examines how value co‐creation, green financing, and sustainability governance jointly influence environmental innovation among Ghanaian SMEs. Using survey data from 483 firms and applying structural equation modeling, the findings reveal that value co‐creation does not directly enhance environmental innovation; rather, its influence operates through green financing as a critical mediating mechanism. Furthermore, sustainability governance not only strengthens access to green financing but also positively moderates the relationship between value co‐creation and green financing. The findings highlight the importance of governance credibility and access to green finance for SME sustainability transitions in institutionally weak contexts.