Purpose Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capabilities theory (DCT), this study explores how key green competencies influence the transition between developmental phases of sustainable organizations. This study aims to determine which competencies most effectively drive organizations from lower to higher sustainability phases. Design/methodology/approach A survey was conducted among 100 manufacturing companies from Greater Poland, collecting data from 2017 and 2022 (200 organizational profiles). Dependency analysis and ordinal regression modeling were applied to identify significant relationships between specific green competencies and the developmental phases of sustainable organizations. Findings The study identified seven green competencies that positively affect advancement to higher sustainability phases: systems thinking, ecological integrity, project planning, SWOT analysis, value chain understanding, 4Ps of marketing and knowledge related to recycling centers and renewable energy. Conversely, niche exploration and facilitation/change management skills showed a negative association with advancement, possibly indicating stricter self-evaluation among more aware companies. Research limitations/implications The research is limited to manufacturing companies in Greater Poland and may not be generalizable to other sectors or regions. Future studies should explore the implementation of identified competencies across various contexts. The findings can guide training design and managerial strategies for enhancing sustainability. Practical implications The study offers a framework for managers aiming to enhance sustainability through human capital development. Identifying green competencies that drive progress between sustainability phases supports targeted training, recruitment and evaluation strategies. The results can guide organizations in building competency-based development paths and help policymakers design educational programs that foster green skills, improving environmental performance, resource efficiency and competitiveness. Social implications The findings show how green competencies foster responsible behavior, ethical decision-making and stakeholder engagement. Strengthening these skills enhances environmental outcomes, social equity and employee empowerment. By accelerating organizations’ sustainability phases, the study supports building workplace cultures rooted in social responsibility, reducing the negative impacts of production and promoting inclusive and ethical business practices aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Originality/value To the best of the authors, this paper presents one of the first empirical models linking green competencies with the developmental phases of sustainable organizations, offering practical insights for advancing organizational sustainability.
Graczyk-Kucharska et al. (Fri,) studied this question.