Environmental consciousness, green intellectual capital, green human resource management and environmental performance: a case of small and medium-sized enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

This study explores whether and, if so, how environmental consciousness (EC) influences firm environmental performance (FEP) by integrating the mediation role of green intellectual capital (GIC) and green human resource management (GHRM), using natural-resource-based view (NRBV) theory. In a quantitative study, 508 senior managers of manufacturing SMEs in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, selected by a cluster random sampling technique, completed a questionnaire-based survey. A partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach was used to analyse data. The empirical studies demonstrate that EC is related to three dimensions of GIC: green human capital (GHC), green structural capital (GSC), and green relational capital (GRC). GHC, GSC, and GRC positively impact GHRM, while FEP is driven by GHRM. Consequently, GIC and GHRM play full mediation roles in the relationship between EC and FEP. Finally, our study offers theoretical and practical implications.