Green intellectual capital and sustainable performance: an empirical investigation within the hotel industry

Purpose Grounded in the resource-based view (RBV), stakeholder theory and contingency theory, the present investigation examines the significance of green intellectual capital (GIC) – which encompasses green human capital (GHC), green structural capital (GSC) and green relational capital (GRC) – as a strategic asset for the enhancement of sustainable performance. This study addresses a critical gap in current research by extending the analysis of GIC from manufacturing to the underexplored hotel industry. Additionally, it explores the moderating influences of hotel star rating, geographic location, workforce diversity and regulatory environment. Design/methodology/approach Empirical data were collected from a sample of 520 hotel professionals across Thailand and subsequently examined using a second-order construct framework through partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to validate both first- and second-order constructs. Findings The results substantiate that GIC markedly augments economic, social and environmental performance. Moreover, the research elucidates the moderating effects of contextual factors, such as hotel star rating, workforce diversity and regulatory environment, in shaping the relationship between GIC and sustainable performance. However, geographic location was found to be an insignificant moderator, likely due to uniform regulatory practices within the country. Practical implications Hotel managers should realize the strategic significance of GIC in optimizing resource efficiency, fortifying stakeholder collaboration and advancing sustainability-driven innovation. Given the study’s focus on large hotels in Thailand, caution is advised when generalizing the findings to smaller-scale or international contexts. Originality/value This study offers theoretical contributions by extending the discourse on GIC beyond manufacturing contexts into service industries. It further demonstrates how integrating RBV, stakeholder theory and contingency theory can enrich our understanding of how GIC contributes to sustainable performance within dynamic organizational environments. It also provides practical implications for hotel managers and policymakers, advocating for the integration of sustainability-oriented intellectual resources into organizational strategies and decision-making processes.