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Green Innovation and Knowledge Management in Organizations

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Economic and Business Aspects of Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2024) | Viewed by 10139

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123 Brescia, Italy
Interests: sustainability; knowledge management; performance measurement; Industry 4.0
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta
Interests: product lifecycle management (PLM); information and knowledge management; Industry 4.0

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Many leading companies are considering sustainability as a key part of their business strategy. Green innovation is one of the most important drivers to increase sustainability performance. Indeed, green innovation practices aim to minimize environmental impacts resulting from companies’ activities through energy minimization, materials reduction, and pollution prevention throughout the whole production process.

At the same time, knowledge management has gained considerable attraction from the business sector, being considered a crucial component in formulating strategies, creating new products and services, and overseeing operational processes. Companies have realised that knowledge management plays an essential role in enhancing a firm’s capability to manage knowledge as a resource to successfully create, develop, deliver, and capture value.

Although several studies have focused on knowledge management and its enablers in enhancing organizational performance, little attention has been paid to the role of knowledge management in green innovation.

The objective of this Special Issue is to promote research concerning the interrelationship between knowledge management practices and green innovation in organisations.

This Special Issue invites original papers focusing on, but not limited to, the following topics:

  • Impacts of knowledge management on green innovation;
  • Green knowledge management;
  • Knowledge creation, acquisition, sharing, and application for green innovation;
  • Product lifecycle management’s contribution to green innovation;
  • Knowledge management system requirements for sustainability;
  • Knowledge management and green innovation in standardisation;
  • Contribution of knowledge management to Sustainable Development Goals.

The papers could adopt one or more of the following approaches (methodological, conceptual, empirical):

  • analysis of survey results;
  • development of new approaches and/or methods;
  • consolidation or validation of existing approaches and/or methods;
  • analysis of case studies;
  • proposal of best practices;
  • analysis and development of supporting IT tools;
  • systematic literature reviews.

Other topics and approaches relevant to this Special Issue but not included in the list above will also be considered.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Paola Cocca
Dr. Joseph Paul Zammit
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • green innovation
  • knowledge management
  • intellectual capital
  • green knowledge management
  • sustainability
  • PLM

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 471 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Pro-Environmental Behavior Through Green HRM: Mediating Roles of Green Mindfulness and Knowledge Sharing for Sustainable Outcomes
by Yijing Li and Yannan Li
Sustainability 2025, 17(6), 2411; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17062411 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1623
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices on employees’ pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) across multiple sectors in China, including production and manufacturing, real estate, financial services, and IT industries. Data were collected from 492 participants through online and offline [...] Read more.
This study investigates the impact of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices on employees’ pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) across multiple sectors in China, including production and manufacturing, real estate, financial services, and IT industries. Data were collected from 492 participants through online and offline surveys conducted between June and August 2024, ensuring a comprehensive and representative sample. The findings reveal that GHRM significantly enhances employees’ PEBs, with green mindfulness and knowledge sharing as critical mediating mechanisms. These mediators amplify the effectiveness of GHRM by fostering deeper environmental awareness and encouraging the exchange of eco-friendly practices among employees. By integrating GHRM with knowledge management processes, the study highlights how organizations can strategically leverage HR practices to strengthen their environmental performance and foster a culture of sustainability. By emphasizing the pivotal roles of green knowledge sharing and environmental awareness, this research underscores their significance in bridging the gap between organizational practices and sustainability outcomes. The insights derived contribute to advancing theoretical understanding and practical applications of green knowledge management and sustainability, offering a robust framework for businesses seeking to align their operations with global environmental goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Innovation and Knowledge Management in Organizations)
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27 pages, 6716 KiB  
Article
Open Environmental Collaborations as an Innovation Tool for Sustainable Development: Evidence from Russian Pulp and Paper Industry
by Nadezhda Shmeleva, Tatyana Tolstykh, Tatiana Guseva and Arina Volosatova
Sustainability 2025, 17(3), 1154; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17031154 - 31 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1277
Abstract
The relevance of this research lies in the increasing global focus on sustainable development, the growth of the green economy, and the pursuit of national and international goals in these areas. This study examines the role of environmental collaboration models and green business [...] Read more.
The relevance of this research lies in the increasing global focus on sustainable development, the growth of the green economy, and the pursuit of national and international goals in these areas. This study examines the role of environmental collaboration models and green business integration in implementing environmental and technological projects to achieve sustainable development goals aimed at the enhancement of resource efficiency and environmental performance within companies. Open environmental collaboration business models generate additional value and competitive advantages by leveraging the synergistic integration of resources and knowledge among all participants. The study’s methodological foundation includes systems analysis and comparative analysis. The findings identify the key characteristics of open environmental collaboration business models and propose recommendations for establishing a system to assess green integration projects. The proposed approach was validated through application at one of the largest pulp and paper manufacturers. As a result of the implementation of the environmental collaboration business model, the profit of Syktyvkar Forest Industry Complex increased four times, revenue almost doubled, product output increased by 89%, and asset value increased by 62%. The study contributes to a deeper understanding of how industrial integration impacts regional green development. It also provides empirical insights and policy recommendations for businesses and governments to promote environmental collaboration and advance green development through knowledge and technology transfer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Innovation and Knowledge Management in Organizations)
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20 pages, 1314 KiB  
Article
Environmental Performance Through Green Supply Chain Management Practices, Green Innovation, and Zero Waste Management
by Defeng Liu, Zahid Yousaf and Joanna Rosak-Szyrocka
Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11173; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411173 - 20 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3813
Abstract
Emerging social, economic, and environmental concerns bring operational challenges and the worldwide economy has seen magnifying pressure to incorporate environmental performance (EP) as a part of strategic decision. Studies in the field of environmental management and, particularly, in the areas of green practices, [...] Read more.
Emerging social, economic, and environmental concerns bring operational challenges and the worldwide economy has seen magnifying pressure to incorporate environmental performance (EP) as a part of strategic decision. Studies in the field of environmental management and, particularly, in the areas of green practices, zero waste, and green innovation have suggested that, if executed properly, these organizations are able to promote EP. Under these conditions, organizations’ practices and mechanisms that ensure the enhancement of the EP of these business organizations have gained the wider attention of researchers and management. Focused on the environment and social responsibility, this study explores the complex relationships within sustainable green supply chain management (GSCM) and explores whether GSCM practices significantly impact both zero waste management and green innovation. The analysis also studies whether there are possible beneficial links between zero waste management, green innovation and environmental performance (EP). Additionally, through assessing the level to which these items come together in sustainable strategic actions, the paper shows the correlation among four important topics: GSCM practices, green innovation (GI), zero waste management, and EP. This study explores the relations between zero waste management and EP as well as green innovation and EP, examining whether these aspects of green practices have a positive relationship with effective waste management techniques in the presence of GSCM practices. The paper analyses interactions between GSCM practices and EP, and the mediation role of zero waste management and GI. Moreover, the moderating role of green knowledge sharing (GKS) also been tested. A total of 389 managers in the manufacturing sector completed the survey and the results were analyzed applying SPSS 25.0 and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The findings confirmed a significant association among GSCM practices, GI, zero waste management, GKS, and EP. Furthermore, findings also revealed that zero waste management GI has a positive intervention role between GSCM practices and EP. GSCM practices facilitate the promotion of EP by incorporating eco-design, green purchasing, new techniques for production or processes, and green marketing that ensures waste reduction and recycling practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Innovation and Knowledge Management in Organizations)
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24 pages, 1531 KiB  
Article
The Interplay Between Environmental Ethics and Sustainable Performance: Does Organizational Green Culture and Green Innovation Really Matter?
by Elhassan Enbaia, Ahmad Alzubi, Kolawole Iyiola and Hasan Yousef Aljuhmani
Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10230; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310230 - 22 Nov 2024
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2410
Abstract
Although organizational green culture and environmental ethics are increasingly acknowledged as crucial, few studies have comprehensively examined the interconnected relationship between green innovation and sustainable performance, particularly within manufacturing firms. As such, this study empirically examines the relationship between environmental ethics and sustainable [...] Read more.
Although organizational green culture and environmental ethics are increasingly acknowledged as crucial, few studies have comprehensively examined the interconnected relationship between green innovation and sustainable performance, particularly within manufacturing firms. As such, this study empirically examines the relationship between environmental ethics and sustainable performance through the mediating roles of green process and product innovations and the moderating role of organizational green culture on these relationships. It is grounded in stakeholder theory and a resource-based view. This study utilizes 236 valid cross-sectional data points from manufacturing firms in Turkey to test the proposed integrated theoretical model through structural equation modeling (SEM). Environmental ethics is positively associated with sustainable performance, green process innovation, and green product innovation. Green process innovation positively affects sustainable performance. Additionally, both green process and product innovations mediate the relationship between environmental ethics and sustainable performance. Moreover, organizational green culture enhances the relationship between environmental ethics and both green process innovation and green product innovation while moderating its role in sustainable performance. The findings highlight how environmental ethics, mediated by green innovation and moderated by organizational green culture, can drive sustainable performance, offering valuable insights for managers aiming to enhance sustainability initiatives in the manufacturing sector. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Innovation and Knowledge Management in Organizations)
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