Does green intellectual capital affect green innovation performance? Evidence from the Vietnamese automotive industry

Purpose This study aims to examines whether green intellectual capital components, including green human capital (GHC), green structural capital (GSC) and green relational capital (GRC), enhance green process innovation performance in the Vietnamese automotive industry. Design/methodology/approach Drawing on firm-level survey data from the Vietnam’s automotive sector (usable n = 386; response rate = 77.2%), the authors develop and empirically test a process-level framework that links the knowledge-based view with dynamic capabilities. Latent constructs were operationalized using multi-item Likert scales and evaluated for reliability and validity. To evaluate the measurement model, the authors conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using IBM SPSS AMOS. Furthermore, partial least squares structural equation model with bootstrapped confidence intervals is also utilized. Findings All three green intellectual capital components exhibit positive and statistically significant associations with green process innovation performance. Practical implications The findings yield actionable implications for managerial policy aimed at strengthening green intellectual capital and, in turn, enhancing sustainable innovation performance. Specifically, our empirical results indicate that targeted green workforce development and collaborative skills programs (GHC), the codification and formalization of environmental routines and metrics (GSC) and the reinforcement of inter-firm ties through supplier development and external partnerships (GRC) are each associated with higher green process innovation performance among Vietnamese automotive firms. Originality/value To the best of our knowledge, this is the first empirical study conducted to examine the role of green intellectual capital on green process innovation performance in automotive firms in emerging markets.