Knowledge management enablers and knowledge management processes: a direct and configurational approach to stimulate green innovation

• Published in: European journal of innovation management Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 123 - 152
• Main Authors: Shehzad, Muhammad Usman, Zhang, Jianhua, Dost, Mir, Ahmad, Muhammad Shakil, Alam, Sajjad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 02.01.2024; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Alternative energy; Clean technology; Competitive advantage; Critical phenomena; Developing countries; Environmental management; Fuzzy sets; Innovations; Knowledge management; LDCs; Organizational aspects; Organizations; Product development; Qualitative analysis; Sustainability; fsQCA; Knowledge management processes; Knowledge management enablers; Green product innovation; Green process innovation
• ISSN: 1460-1060; 1758-7115
• DOI: 10.1108/EJIM-02-2022-0076

PurposeGiven the critical importance of green innovation (GI) for organizations in developing economies, this study aims to examine the interrelationship between knowledge management (KM) enablers, KM processes and GI. The research also indicates that certain combinations of KM enabler dimensions and KM processes can lead to better GI.Design/methodology/approachThe study sample consists of 328 participants from Pakistan's medium- and large-sized manufacturing enterprises. Smart PLS 3.2.9 is used to verify the relationships. Moreover, the fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) investigates configurational paths for improving GI.FindingsThe results demonstrate that KM enablers significantly affect two aspects of GI – green product and process innovation – and KM processes. Moreover, KM processes significantly enhance two aspects of GI. The fsQCA findings indicate multiple combinations of KM enablers and KM processes dimensions that result in better GI.Research limitations/implicationsTo better understand the critical role of knowledge resources, future studies should explore the potential mediating mechanisms of KM processes or the moderating effects of strategic organizational factors in the relationship between KM enablers and GI.Practical implicationsThe study offers valuable insight and a unique approach for policymakers and executives of corporations in developing countries to enhance their organizations' GI capacity through KM enablers and KM processes.Originality/valueThis research contributes to bridging research gaps in the literature and advances insights into the interrelationship among KM enablers, KM processes and GI. In addition, the study offers methodological significance by combining direct and configurational techniques to address two distinct facets of GI.