Exploring the impact of green entrepreneurial orientation on sustainable performance: insights from CSR, policy and innovation

Purpose In recent years, “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR) has gained significant traction as a strategic concept embraced by business managers. However, there remains a dearth of comprehensive research exploring the impact of CSR on “Green Entrepreneurial Orientation” (GEO), a firm’s sustainability performance, and their interplay with other influential factors. Therefore, this study aims to explore how CSR, “Policy Awareness” (PA), and “Personal Innovativeness” (PI) influence GEO and “Sustainable Performance” (SP). The research also delves into understanding the mediating role of GEO and how this mediation is moderated by “Green Innovation” (GI). Design/methodology/approach Drawing from the “natural resource-based view” (NRBV) theory and employing “partial least square structural equation modeling” (PLS-SEM), the study analyzed a sample of 137 Indian manufacturing “micro, small, and medium enterprises” (MSMEs). Findings The results underscore the positive associations of CSR and PA with both GEO and SP. Additionally, the findings highlight the moderating effects of GI in enhancing firms' sustainability performance. The moderated mediation analysis reveals that CSR significantly contributes to SP by fostering the adoption of GEO. Research limitations/implications These study outcomes offer valuable insights for policymakers, managers, and entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of crafting effective CSR strategies intertwined with innovativeness to cultivate a conducive green entrepreneurial ecosystem in businesses aligned with sustainable development goals. Originality/value There is a paucity of research on the determinants of GEO within the context of manufacturing MSMEs, especially in developing and underdeveloped nations. Furthermore, no previous study has delved into the factors that underlie GEO using a moderated mediation framework, particularly within the Indian manufacturing MSMEs landscape.