HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES AND GREEN INNOVATION PERFORMANCE: THE MEDIATING ROLE OF ORGANIZATIONAL GREEN INNOVATION CAPABILITY IN ACHIEVING NATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

DOI: https://doie.org/10.65985/APER.2026857362

Authors:

Dr. Sarita Kumari

Keywords:

Human capital development, Green innovation, Sustainability education, Leadership development, National sustainability goals

Abstract:

Green innovation has emerged as a critical driver of sustainable nation-building in the era of climate change and technological transformation. While prior research has emphasized the role of technology and policy in advancing green innovation, limited empirical attention has been paid to the role of human capital development in nurturing green innovation ecosystems. This study examines how green skills training programs, sustainability education integration, and leadership development for green innovation influence organizational green innovation capability and green innovation performance, ultimately contributing to national sustainability goals. Using survey data collected from managers and sustainability professionals across green-intensive sectors, the study employed Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to test the proposed relationships. The findings highlighted the mediating role of organizational green innovation capability. The findings are aligned with Human Capital Theory (HCT), which posits that investments in knowledge and skills enhance organizational capabilities. They also reinforce the Resource- Based View (RBV), which argues that intangible capabilities—rather than isolated training initiatives—drive competitive advantage. The results are particularly relevant in the context of national sustainability agendas and global climate commitments, suggesting that policy-level sustainability outcomes fundamentally depend on firm-level innovation performance, which in turn relies on organizational capability and human capital development. The study offers theoretical and practical implications for policymakers, organizations, and educational institutions seeking to strengthen green innovation ecosystems.

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