Reconceptualizing green innovation as an organizational capability: an integrated approach

Purpose This paper reconceptualizes green innovation as an integrative organizational capability rather than a standalone environmental or technological initiative. It examines how organizational, institutional and technological conditions shape its contribution to sustainable organizational performance. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts a narrative literature review, drawing on the natural resource-based view (NRBV) to synthesize research on organizational capabilities, organizational learning, stakeholder relationships, institutional conditions and digital technologies. Findings The review shows that green innovation contributes to sustainable performance when supported by complementary capabilities, organizational learning, stakeholder collaboration, favorable institutional conditions and digital technologies. It further suggests that technologies alone are insufficient; outcomes depend on aligning organizational capabilities with contextual conditions. Research limitations/implications As a conceptual review, the proposed framework requires empirical validation across different organizational and institutional contexts. Practical implications Managers should embed green innovation within organizational strategy, strengthen learning, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, leverage digital technologies and adopt context-specific sustainability strategies. Originality/value The paper advances an integrative capability-based perspective by positioning green innovation capability as the mechanism through which organizational resources, learning, stakeholder relationships, institutional conditions and digital technologies are combined to generate sustainable performance.