Universities as sustainability agents! Does green campus ensure green intellectual capital? A quantitative approach to the triggering role of green knowledge sharing and green innovation

• Published in: Journal of intellectual capital 2025-01, Vol.26 (1), p.253-278
• Main Author: Ali, Ayesha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Climate change; College campuses; Colleges & universities; Competitive advantage; Corporate image; Data analysis; Data exchange; Employees; Empowerment; Environmental conditions; Environmental impact; Environmental management; Explicit knowledge; Higher education institutions; Infrastructure; Innovations; Intangible assets; Intellectual capital; Knowledge sharing; Social responsibility; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Tacit knowledge
• ISSN: 1469-1930; 1758-7468
• DOI: 10.1108/JIC-03-2024-0080

PurposeThis article aims to explore the concept of green campus (GC) being implemented in Pakistan’s universities in order to attain green intellectual capital (GIC).Design/methodology/approachPrimary data were collected from the 20 public sector universities in the Punjab province, Pakistan. Data analysis was conducted by using SPSS and MPLUS software.FindingsResults confirm that green practices help universities to attain GIC. Further, the results also confirm the mediating role of green knowledge sharing (GKS) and green innovation (GI).Research limitations/implicationsThe data were gathered from public sector universities in Pakistan. Hence, the findings of the present study may not be generalized to the private universities, other sectors or countries.Practical implicationsThis study provides insights regarding the implementation of GC paradigm from technological perspective. This can enhance the information exchange among sustainability practitioners in order to introduce innovative solutions for addressing sustainability challenges.Social implicationsThis study has developed a transdisciplinary policy framework that provides guidelines for higher education institutions in Pakistan to attain GI and IC.Originality/valueThe originality lies in framing GC as a generator of GIC while also establishing a strong link between IC, economy and the environment by demonstrating how environmental sustainability initiatives influence economic gains through enhanced reputation, cost reduction and stakeholder engagement. This study has developed a theoretical framework based on resource-based theory, which supports the notion that GCs will lead to GIC by developing GKS and GI.