TMT Commitment, Green Innovation, and Sustainability: Unveiling the Link through Green Supply Chain Management in South Korea

Abstract

Purpose – This study examines the relationship between top management team commitment (TMTC) and sustainable performance by integrating upper echelon theory, resource-based view, and coordination theory. It addresses a theoretical gap by exploring the mediating role of green supply chain management (GSCM) between green innovation (GI) and sustainable performance and the moderating effect of green intellectual capital (GIC) on the TMTC–GI relationship. Design/Methodology – The study employs structural equation modeling (SEM) using survey data collected from 422 Korean logistics firms to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings – The results indicate that GSCM mediates the relationship between GI and sustainable performance, highlighting its critical role in linking innovation with sustainability outcomes. Additionally, GIC moderates the relationship between TMTC and GI, suggesting that firms with higher intellectual capital can better translate management commitment into innovation efforts. Originality/value – This study extends the existing GSCM literature by proposing and empirically validating its mediating role between GI and sustainable performance, while also highlighting the moderating function of GIC in shaping innovation strategies. These insights contribute to both theoretical advancement and managerial practice in sustainable logistics.