Green Intellectual Capital and Sustainable Performance among Public Sector Employees: A Cross-Sectional Correlational Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/v-ii.275Keywords:
Green Intellectual Capital, Sustainable Performance, Public Sector, EmployeesAbstract
Although numerous studies have examined the relationship between Green Intellectual Capital and Sustainable Performance, limited evidence is available in the Pakistani public sector. Therefore, the present study aimed to address this gap by adopting a cross-sectional correlational research design and a purposive sampling technique to recruit public sector employees from various organizations in Lahore and Faisalabad, Pakistan. Participants were required to be at least 19 years old, possess a minimum qualification of Intermediate, and have at least one year of work experience. Initially, 300 employees were approached, of whom 260 completed the questionnaires, yielding a response rate of 86.7%. The study utilized two standardized instruments: the Green Intellectual Capital Scale and the Sustainable Performance Scale. The results revealed a significant positive relationship between Green Intellectual Capital and Sustainable Performance. Furthermore, Green Intellectual Capital significantly and positively predicted Sustainable Performance among public sector employees. The findings highlight the importance of Green Intellectual Capital in enhancing Sustainable Performance within public sector organizations
References
Abdelrahman, N., Carungu, J., & Khan, S. (2026). The relationship between sustainable performance and economic value: An evaluation of the economic implications of sustainable development goals. Sustainable Development, 34(S2), 939-950. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.70377
Abhayawansa, S., Adams, C. A., & Neesham, C. (2021). Accountability and governance in pursuit of sustainable development goals: Conceptualising how governments create value. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 34(4), 923-945. https://doi.org/10.1108/aaaj-07-2020-4667
Adiele, G. C., & Gbekee-Kalagbor, L. (2025). Knowledge management practices and institutional effectiveness of public universities in Rivers State, Nigeria. Journal of African Resilience and Advancement Research. https://doi.org/10.70382/hujarar.v10i2.025
Adnan, N. S., Halmi, S. A. H., Nasir, N. E. M., Ahmad, S., Afandi, M. S. A., & Mulyany, R. (2025, July). Green Intellectual Capital Research: Bibliometric Insights into Performance and Sustainability. In 9th Terengganu International Business and Economics Conference 2025 (TiBEC IX 2025) (pp. 232-245). Atlantis Press. https://www.atlantis-press.com/proceedings/tibec-ix-25/126014503
Agyemang, E. A., & Ansah, W. O. (2026). Linking employee green behaviour and organizational effectiveness for sustainable development: A conceptual review of public sector institutions in sub-Saharan Africa. Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Science, 3(1), 184-194. https://doi.org/10.69739/jahss.v3i1.1527
Ahmad, F., Hossain, M. B., Mustafa, K., Ejaz, F., Khawaja, K. F., & Dunay, A. (2023). Green HRM practices and knowledge sharing improve environmental performance by raising employee commitment to the environment. Sustainability, 15(6), 5040. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065040
Alharethi, T., Alansari, M. T., Abdelhamied, H. H., Zaitouni, M. A., & Salem, O. M. (2026). Unpacking the pathways from green knowledge management to innovation: The mediating role of green motivation and entrepreneurial orientation in tourism and hospitality businesses. Management & Sustainability: An Arab Review, 1-30. https://doi.org/10.1108/msar-10-2025-0412
Ali, U., Ahmad, H. Z., & Sabir, S. A. (2025). The influence of green intellectual capital on green product and process innovation: The mediating role of green knowledge sharing in the Pakistani SMEs. The Critical Review of Social Sciences Studies, 3(3), 160-185. https://doi.org/10.59075/jtw84r80
Alkaraan, F., Elmarzouky, M., Hussainey, K., Venkatesh, V. G., Shi, Y., & Gulko, N. (2024). Reinforcing green business strategies with Industry 4.0 and governance towards sustainability: Natural‐resource‐based view and dynamic capability. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(4), 3588-3606. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3665
Alnaim, M., & Metwally, A. B. (2024). Green intellectual capital and corporate environmental performance: Does environmental management accounting matter? Administrative Sciences, 14(12), 311. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14120311
Alqatan, A., Simmou, W., Shehadeh, M., AlReshaid, F., Elmarzouky, M., & Shohaieb, D. (2025). Strategic pathways to corporate sustainability: The roles of transformational leadership, knowledge sharing, and innovation. Sustainability, 17(12), 5547. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125547
Arun, K. (2026). Utilizing Green Intellectual Capital for Sustainable Innovation: Analyzing the Aspects of Green Human, Relational, and Structural Capital Within Organizations. In Green Finance, Governance, and Sustainable Development (pp. 243-278). IGI Global Scientific Publishing.
Asiaei, K., Jusoh, R., Barani, O., & Asiaei, A. (2022). How does green intellectual capital boost performance? The mediating role of environmental performance measurement systems. Business Strategy and the Environment, 31(4), 1587-1606. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2971
Baquero, A. (2024). Unveiling the path to green innovation: The interplay of green learning orientation, knowledge management capability and manufacturing firm’s capability to orchestrate resources. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 39(10), 2205-2221. https://doi.org/10.1108/jbim-08-2023-0486
Bari, N., Chimhundu, R., & Chan, K. (2022). Dynamic capabilities to achieve corporate sustainability: A roadmap to sustained competitive advantage. Sustainability, 14(3), 1531. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14031531
Bayong, D., Alagidede, I. P., & Salakpi, A. (2026). Corporate governance and accountability in SMEs: enhancing disclosure practices for sustainable development in West Africa. Sustainable Development.
Buhaya, M. I., & Metwally, A. B. (2024). Green intellectual capital and green supply chain performance: Do external pressures matter? Cogent Business & Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2349276
Connolly, J. J., Svendsen, E. S., Fisher, D. R., & Campbell, L. K. (2013). Organizing urban ecosystem services through environmental stewardship governance in New York City. Landscape and Urban Planning, 109(1), 76-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2012.07.001
Dempere, J., Alamash, E., & Mattos, P. (2024). Unveiling the truth: Greenwashing in sustainable finance. Frontiers in Sustainability, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/frsus.2024.1362051
Enticott, G., & Walker, R. M. (2008). Sustainability, performance and organizational strategy: An empirical analysis of public organizations. Business Strategy and the Environment, 17(2), 79-92. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.501
Fadillah, M. I., Hadijah, H. S., & Gunawan. (2026). Navigating green knowledge management: A systematic literature review on implementation, challenges and best practices. Journal of Information & Knowledge Management, 25(05). https://doi.org/10.1142/s0219649225501138
Gaybullaev, O., & Strode, J. P. (2026). Transformational leadership and organizational sustainability performance: A systematic literature review of global evidence. Environment, Development and Sustainability. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-026-07319-z
Hart, S. L. (1995). A natural-resource-Based view of the firm. The Academy of Management Review, 20(4), 986. https://doi.org/10.2307/258963
Hasanein, A. M., Khairy, H. A., Al‐Romeedy, B. S., & Aliane, N. (2026). Building resilient hospitality SMEs through green intellectual capital: Unpacking the roles of green entrepreneurial orientation, green dynamic capability, and green absorptive capacity. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.70741
Ibrahim, A. A., Abu Bakar, A. R., & Ahmad, S. Z. (2026). Driving green excellence: How green intellectual capital and transformational leadership boost sustainable performance in manufacturing SMEs. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 1-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/jic-05-2025-0191
Ibrahim, Y. M., Hami, N., & Abdulameer, S. S. (2020). A scale for measuring sustainable manufacturing practices and sustainability performance: Validity and reliability. Quality Innovation Prosperity, 24(2), 59-74. https://doi.org/10.12776/qip.v24i2.1385
Ispiryan, A., Pakeltiene, R., Ispiryan, O., & Giedraitis, A. (2024). Fostering organizational sustainability through employee collaboration: An integrative approach to environmental, social, and economic dimensions. Encyclopedia, 4(4), 1806-1826. https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia4040119
Javed, H., Du, J., & Farooq Islam, M. (2025). Unpacking organizational capabilities and green innovation for sustainable performance: The role of environmental regulations in the manufacturing industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 507, 145453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2025.145453
Johnston, L., & Fenwick, J. (2025). New development: Public service innovation. Public Money & Management, 45(2), 151-156. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540962.2024.2362873
Ketata, I., Sofka, W., & Grimpe, C. (2015). The role of internal capabilities and firms' environment for sustainable innovation: evidence for Germany. R&D Management, 45(1), 60-75. https://doi.org/10.1111/radm.12052
Kianto, A., Cabrilo, S., & Hussinki, H. (2023). Futurizing intellectual capital theory to uncover pertinent and unexplored horizons. Knowledge Management and Organizational Learning, 67-90. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-38696-1_4
Larabi, C. (2025). Linking innovation capability, strategic orientation, and strategic renewal to sustainable performance: A dynamic capabilities perspective in Saudi small and medium enterprises. Business Strategy and the Environment, 35(1), 1255-1271. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.70229
Makhlou, L., Meirun, T., Belaid, F., & Yaacob, N. A. (2021). Impact of green entrepreneurship orientation on environmental performance: the natural resource-based view perspective. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/721e/85b30f757d59996215104da652de421d9468.pdf
Meuleman, L. (2021). Public administration and governance for the SDGs: Navigating between change and stability. Sustainability, 13(11), 5914. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13115914
Mohua, M. J., & Yusoff, W. F. (2023). Do performance measurement systems matter to vitalize green intellectual capital and sustainable performance? A conceptual framework. International Journal of Professional Business Review, 8(7), e03233. https://doi.org/10.26668/businessreview/2023.v8i7.3233
Naeem, M., Ali, S., Junaid, Z. B., Memon, S., & Memon, S. (2026). Driving sustainability performance through eco-intellectual capital: The mediating role of green human resource management in emerging economies. International Journal of Ethics and Systems, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijoes-06-2025-0345
Nikolaou, I. E., Tsalis, T. A., Kostakis, I., Stergiopoulou, F., Athanasiadou, I., Lanaras-Mamounis, G., & Tsagarakis, K. P. (2024). Green intellectual capital: A critical factor to explain the relationship between corporate sustainable and financial performance. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26(9), 22863-22884. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03579-1
Papagiannakis, G., Voudouris, I., & Lioukas, S. (2013). The road to sustainability: Exploring the process of corporate environmental strategy over time. Business Strategy and the Environment, 23(4), 254-271. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.1781
Queralt-Bassa, A., Ballesteros Arenas, R., Arbiol, I., Mulholland, E., Pineda Lorenzo, M., Ayuso, A., & Gallach, C. (2026). European Public Mosaic (EPuM): Open Journal on Public Service: 2030 Agenda: what's next.
Rasheed, M., Liu, J., & Ali, E. (2025). Incorporating sustainability in organizational strategy: A framework for enhancing sustainable knowledge management and green innovation. Kybernetes, 54(4), 2363-2388. https://doi.org/10.1108/k-08-2023-1606
Shahbaz, M. H., & Malik, S. A. (2025). Driving firm performance with green intellectual capital: The key role of business sustainability in SMEs. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 26(3), 691-715. https://doi.org/10.1108/jic-07-2024-0211
Shahid, M. S., Soomro, N. I., Zehra, K., Shami, A. Z., & Ashraf, S. J. (2025). Perceived corporate social responsibility and employee engagement among employees in the corporate sector of Pakistan: The mediating role of organizational pride. The Regional Tribune, 4(4), 277. https://doi.org/10.55737/trt/fl25.178
Shahid, M. S., Begum, R. ., & Ambreen, U. (2026). The Relationship between Workplace Loneliness and Turnover Intention: Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Support. Journal of Professional & Applied Psychology, 7(1), 32–42. https://doi.org/10.52053/jpap.v7i1.480
Shava, E., Muringa, T. P., & Oladejo, O. M. (2025). “Spare the rod and spoil the child”: Navigating consequence management in local government transformation in South Africa. Frontiers in Political Science, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpos.2025.1579256
Velsberg, O., Westergren, U. H., & Jonsson, K. (2020). Exploring smartness in public sector innovation - creating smart public services with the Internet of things. European Journal of Information Systems, 29(4), 350-368. https://doi.org/10.1080/0960085x.2020.1761272
Wolf, K. L., Blahna, D. J., Brinkley, W., & Romolini, M. (2011). Environmental stewardship footprint research: Linking human agency and ecosystem health in the Puget Sound region. Urban Ecosystems, 16(1), 13-32. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-011-0175-6
Xie, Y., Wang, X., Zhang, Y., Li, B., & Yang, Y. (2026). Leveraging intellectual capital for green technology innovation: Evidence from traditional manufacturing firms in China. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1108/jic-07-2025-0296
Yoo, D. Y. (2024). Eco-leadership in action: Integrating green HRM and the new ecological paradigm to foster organizational commitment and environmental citizenship in the hospitality industry. Sustainability, 16(20), 9044. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16209044
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Mohsin Ali, Aurang Zaib Ashraf Shami, Hisham Humayun, Muhammad Nadeem Anjum, Shah Jahan Ashraf
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
