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Linking green intellectual capital and sustainable performance through a meta-analysis synthesis

Muhammad Sualeh Khattak et al.

Business Process Management Journal2026https://doi.org/10.1108/bpmj-10-2025-1608article
AJG 2ABDC B
Weight
0.50

Abstract

Purpose This research synthesizes the existing empirical research into the role of green intellectual capital (IC) in the sustainable performance (SUSP) of organizations through meta-analysis. Specifically, it evaluates the overall and comparative effect of each green IC dimension, green human capital (HC), green structural capital (SC) and green relational capital (RC), on economic performance (ECP), social performance (SP) and environmental performance (EP). Design/methodology/approach A meta-analysis is conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework, synthesizing 77 studies (N = 23,691) from Web of Science and Scopus. Effect sizes are estimated using Fisher's r-to-z transformation and pooled random-effects models via the metafor package in R. Heterogeneity and publication bias are assessed, and subcategory analyses examine the effects of green human capital, green structural capital and green relational capital on ECP, social performance and environmental performance. Findings This meta-analysis synthesizes 77 studies examining the link between green IC dimensions and ECP, SP and EP. The findings indicate a positive significant correlation between overall green IC and SUSP. Green HC, green SC and green RC appear as the most prominent dimensions, indicating a positive, direct and significant connection with SUSP. Pooled correlations range from r = 0.3774 to 0.7319 across overall green IC and its dimensions. The I2 score values (ranging from 89.29% to 99.91%) and the Q values (ranging from 80.2274 to 1050.1002), at the 95% prediction confidence interval, show that the meta-analysis models display significant heterogeneity. A visual illustration of the outcomes in the form of a forest plot fortifies the reliability of the finding that green IC serves as a crucial driver of SUSP. These findings highlight an in-depth understanding of green IC dimensions and their association with SUSP. Originality/value This study fills gaps in the existing literature by providing a comprehensive meta-analysis focused on green IC and its dimensions along with ECP, EP and SP. The study provides nuanced insight into how green IC and its dimensions influence the three facets of SUSP.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/bpmj-10-2025-1608

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@article{muhammad2026,
  title        = {{Linking green intellectual capital and sustainable performance through a meta-analysis synthesis}},
  author       = {Muhammad Sualeh Khattak et al.},
  journal      = {Business Process Management Journal},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1108/bpmj-10-2025-1608},
}

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Linking green intellectual capital and sustainable performance through a meta-analysis synthesis

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

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