Date of Award

1-29-2026

Thesis Type

Masters

Document Type

Dissertation

Divisions

Faculty of Business and Economics

Department

Department of Accounting

Institution

Universiti Malaya

Abstract

In recent years, the integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into corporate strategy has become crucial to long-term competitiveness and sustainable development. Green Intellectual Capital (GIC)—encompassing environmental knowledge, skills, capabilities, and organisational practices—has attracted growing scholarly attention. GIC represents the intangible assets that empower firms to implement environmentally sustainable practices and fulfil stakeholder expectations. However, empirical evidence regarding its impact on ESG performance in emerging economies, particularly China, remains limited. This study addresses this gap by examining the direct and indirect effects of GIC on ESG performance, with a particular focus on the mediating roles of Green Innovation (GI) and Environmental Management Accounting (EMA). A structured questionnaire was distributed to managers in Chinese manufacturing enterprises, yielding 211 valid responses. The data were analysed using SPSS and SmartPLS 4 through structural equation modelling. The results indicate that GIC has a significant and positive direct influence on ESG performance. GI supports this relationship by promoting eco-friendly product innovation, process optimisation, and enhanced resource efficiency. Simultaneously, EMA strengthens the relationship by providing tools to manage environmental costs and align strategic decisions with ESG objectives. Both mediators were found to exert partial mediation, as GIC’s direct influence remains significant. Theoretically, this study integrates GIC, GI, and corporate sustainability into a unified empirical model, demonstrating how intangible green resources function both as direct enablers and indirect drivers of ESG performance. From a practical standpoint, it underscores the importance for firms to invest in GIC to enhance sustainability capabilities, foster green innovation, and develop robust environmental accounting practices. Moreover, policymakers should foster institutional environments that support and incentivise these efforts.

Initial

Dissertation (M.A.) – Faculty of Business and Economics, Universiti Malaya, 2026.

Additional Information

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Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

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