Green intellectual capital for sustainable healthcare: evidence from Iraq

PurposeThis research aims to examine the role of green intellectual capital (GIC) dimensions in promoting sustainable healthcare as reflected by sustainable performance. The mediating effect of green absorptive capacity (GAC) and moderating role of environmental turbulence were also explored.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling was utilized for hypotheses testing of a survey data set of 387 at healthcare organizations operating in Iraq. The data were collected using purposive sampling with expert judgment from senior managers and professionals.FindingsContrary to previous studies, the findings showed that only green human and relational capitals predict green performance and only green human capital predicted economic performance. GAC was related to green human capital, green structural capital and performance, and played a significant mediating role on the relationships.Research limitations/implicationsEven though the research was limited to one region of a single country, Iraq, GAC can be modified by managers to enhance GIC for sustainable healthcare performance. This action must be viewed in terms of the future timing of the impact while managers display strong conviction for sustainability commitment. Managers will find GRC least associated with performance, but that GIC dimensions work best in unison.Originality/valueThe examination of GIC with GAC as moderated by environmental turbulence contributes nascent theoretical insights in sustainable healthcare.