Do artificial intelligence capabilities impact sustainability-oriented innovation performance: exploring the role of green intellectual capital and learning orientation

Purpose This study examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities on sustainability-oriented innovation performance. Furthermore, it explores the mediating role of green intellectual capital and the moderating role of learning orientation. Design/methodology/approach To verify the hypothesised relationships, we conducted a hierarchical regression analysis and bootstrapping method with survey data collected from 355 Chinese firms. Findings Grounded in organisational learning theory, the study found that AI capabilities have a positive influence on green intellectual capital (i.e. green human capital, green structural capital and green relational capital), and this connection is further reinforced by learning orientation. The analysis also reveals that green intellectual capital serves as a mediator in the relationship between AI capabilities and sustainability-oriented innovation performance. Originality/value This research explores the relationships among AI capabilities, green intellectual capital, learning orientation and sustainability-oriented innovation performance in a comprehensive model. This is the first known study to highlight that AI capabilities can improve sustainability-oriented innovation performance and gives managers implications on how to align AI capabilities while pursuing sustainability-oriented innovation performance.