Leading towards sustainability: visionary innovation leadership's impact on green product innovation

The aim of this research is to investigate the role of visionary innovation leadership (VIL) in predicting green product innovation (GPI). Drawing upon the upper-echelon perspective, this study considers the green innovation strategy as a crucial underlying process that mediates the impact of VIL on GPI. Additionally, the study examines the moderating role of green social capital in the relationship between VIL and the green innovation strategy. Data were collected from 177 small to medium-sized enterprises based in China. The results reveal a positive and significant relationship between VIL and GPI, both directly and indirectly through the mediation of the green innovation strategy. Furthermore, the findings indicate that green social capital plays a moderating role in the association between VIL and the green innovation strategy, suggesting that VIL is more effective in shaping green innovation strategies when green social capital is present. The study discusses implications, both theoretical and practical, stemming from these findings.