Green intellectual capital and environmental performance: identifying the pivotal role of green ambidexterity innovation and top management environmental awareness

Purpose This research focuses on analyzing the impact of Green Intellectual Capital (GIC) on the Environmental Performance (EP) of Spanish wineries, as well as the mediating effect of Green Ambidexterity Innovation (GAI) on the main relationship posed (GIC–EP), and the moderating effect of Top Management Environmental Awareness (TMEA) on the GAI–EP link. In addition, age, size and size and membership in a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) to increase the accuracy of the cause–effect relationships examined. Design/methodology/approach The study proposes a conceptual model based on previous studies, which is tested using structural equations (PLS-SEM) with data collected from 196 Spanish wineries between September 2022 and January 2023. Findings The results of the research reveal the existence of a positive and significant relationship between the development of GIC and EP of Spanish wineries, as well as the partial mediation of GAI in this link and the positive moderation of TMEA in the GAI–EP relationship. Originality/value The originality of the study is explained by several factors. First, the study pioneered the exploration of TMEA as a moderator of the relationship between GAI and EP, allowing such analysis to improve understanding of the dynamic interaction between innovation and environmental management. Second, to the best of the authors' knowledge, there are no preceding studies that have previously proposed the theoretical model presented in this research, thus providing new scientific knowledge on the intellectual capital field. Third, the contextualization of the study in the wine sector, traditionally perceived as little knowledge-intensive, contributes significantly to the existing body of scientific knowledge on the environmental management of wineries, given that it allows the identification of the catalysing variables of EP in the Spanish wine context.