The Impact of Proactive Environmental Strategy on Competitive and Sustainable Development of Organizations

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the impact of proactive environmental strategy, competitive differentiation advantage & cost-leadership competitive advantage for the competitive, sustainable development of an organization in terms of its performances, for instance, product strategy, production, process & financial performances. We incorporated technological eco-innovation as a mediating factor & corporate image as a moderator between exogenous & endogenous variables. We have collected 798 responses from China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. For the data analyses, we employed a structural equation modeling-based multivariate approach and conditional process modeling. The novelty and significance of the undertaken study rested in multifaceted outcomes; for instance, the proactive environmental strategy, the competitive advantage of differentiation & competitive advantage of cost leadership have a significant & positive impact on the sustainable development of an organization in terms of its performances, for example, product strategic, production & financial performances. The findings further demonstrate that technological eco-innovation as a mediating factor & corporate image as a moderating factor played vital and significant influencers between exogenous and endogenous variables. Finally, the Toda- Yamamoto causality showed the two-ways directionality between exogenous & endogenous variables. The outcomes have provided critical practical and societal implications for the industry and society. The companies may incorporate the environment as a cornerstone in short & longterm strategies for sustainable development. On the other hand, organizations may provide an eco-friendly environment to society.