Charting Sustainable Paths: The Influence Of Sustainable Leadership And Green Innovation On Sustainable Performance In Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the contribution of sustainable leadership and green innovation towards the enhancement of sustainability in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Shaanxi, China, through the lens of the Resource-Based View (RBV) theory. The study employed a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach to examine the relationships among the variables simultaneously. Online questionnaires were collected from 505 faculty members across ten universities in Shaanxi, China. The SEM analysis revealed that sustainable leadership plays a significant role in boosting HEIs' sustainable performance, both directly and indirectly by fostering green innovation. The results also showed a synergistic effect of sustainable leadership and green innovation in promoting sustainability within HEIs. This study provides valuable theoretical contributions to the RBV theory and practical implications for HEI administrators and educators. The findings suggest that cultivating sustainable leadership skills and encouraging innovative green practices can lead to improved institutional sustainability outcomes.