Green leadership and innovation: catalysts for environmental performance in Italian manufacturing

Purpose This quantitative study, rooted in the resource-based view (RBV) theory, aims to investigate the relationships among green transformational leadership, green process innovation, employee environmental beliefs and firm environmental performance in Italian manufacturing companies. This study unfolds a nuanced narrative of how strategic green transformational leadership, coupled with environmentally conscious processes, can synergistically enhance an organization's overall environmental performance. Design/methodology/approach The multi-item survey questionnaire used in this study was distributed to leaders in a diverse sample of Italian companies. A total of 296 valid responses were obtained from the surveys. The collected data were analysed using statistical methods such as correlation, confirmatory factor and structural equation modelling using SPSS software. Findings The direct influence of green transformational leadership on firm environmental performance is supported. It also confirms the positive impact of green process innovation on environmental outcomes. It identifies green process innovation as a mediator between green transformational leadership and firm environmental performance, and employee environmental beliefs moderate the link between green transformational leadership and firm environmental performance. Research limitations/implications This research contributes by advancing understanding within the RBV framework by elucidating the specific mechanisms through which green transformational leadership programs promote green process innovation, enhance environmental performance for organizational success, achieve sustainability goals and foster collaboration and stakeholder engagement. Practical implications This study emphasizes the significance of establishing green leadership programs, encouraging green process innovation and systematically monitoring environmental performance to accomplish organizational success and sustainability goals. Originality/value This study presents a novel and original examination by integrating the RBV theory on the relationships between green transformational leadership, green process innovation and firm environmental performance, shedding new light on the role of employee environmental beliefs.