A sustainable natural resource management hierarchical model in Vietnamese mining industry: environmental policy and regulation impacts on technical operation capability

Purpose This study builds a sustainable natural resource management (SNRM) model, as prior studies on how environmental policy and regulation and stakeholder involvement incorporate technical operation capability are lacking, and comprehensive insights into the specific challenges and strategies for SNRM practices are needed. Design/methodology/approach This study aims to identify a valid set of attributes for SNRM in the Vietnamese mining industry, develop a causal hierarchical model and identify the important attributes for improvement via a hybrid approach. Institutional theory, stakeholder theory and dynamic capability theory under the foundation of the socio-technical perspective theory are applied. Findings The hierarchical structure of SNRM includes 4 perspectives, 8 aspects and 22 criteria, with causal aspects such as environmental policy and regulation, financing mechanisms, stakeholder involvement and digital transformation. The practical focuses are environmental governance, green financing, external suppliers and joint venture partners, renewable energy adoption, and automation and robotics. Technological innovation plays crucial roles in SNRM adoption. Originality/value This study develops a theoretically grounded causal SNRM framework integrating institutional, stakeholder, dynamic capability and socio-technical perspectives, while extending SNRM through technological innovation and operation capability. The result provides a context-specific framework for the Vietnamese mining industry and offers actionable priorities for policymakers and practitioners to advance sustainable resource management.