Green Transformational Leadership and Green Mindfulness as Contributors to Green Innovation and Environmental Performance: Evidence From Manufacturing Firms in Vietnam

Abstract

This paper explores whether green mindfulness is the motivation behind green innovation and whether this relationship is moderated by green transformational leadership. The paper also investigates the indirect influence of green mindfulness on environmental performance through the mediating mechanism of green innovation. The above goals are necessary to find solutions that meet environmental goals, especially in emerging countries such as Vietnam. Data was collected from an online survey of 278 managers in manufacturing firms in Vietnam and analyzed using SmartPLS software with the partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results showed that green mindfulness directly affects green innovation, which in turn, contributes positively to environmental performance. Green mindfulness also increases environmental performance through the mediating role of green innovation. Moreover, green transformational leadership moderates the effects of green mindfulness on green innovation. These results contribute to the ability to achieve environmental goals in manufacturing firms. The study shows the role of green mindfulness and green transformational leadership in promoting green innovation and environmental performance in manufacturing firms in emerging market contexts.