Achieving green competitive advantage in manufacturing firms through green creativity and carbon footprint tracking technology

Purpose This study aims to explore the role of green creativity and carbon footprint tracking technology adoption in enhancing green competitive advantage in Chinese manufacturing firms. It further investigates the moderating effects of government pressure and organizational inertia on the relationship between green creativity and carbon footprint tracking technology adoption. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 423 senior, middle-level and first-line managers in manufacturing firms. The study employs partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the relationships between green creativity, carbon footprint tracking technology adoption and green competitive advantage, along with the moderating effects of government policy and organizational inertia. Findings Green creativity positively impacts carbon footprint tracking technology adoption and green competitive advantage. Carbon footprint tracking technology adoption mediates the relationship between green creativity and green competitive advantage. Government pressure positively moderates the relationship between green creativity and the adoption of carbon footprint tracking technology, while organizational inertia negatively moderates it. Originality/value This study addresses a critical gap by investigating the previously overlooked mechanism through which green creativity drives the adoption of specific data-driven technologies, such as carbon footprint tracking, offering carbon-intensive firms a practical strategy to convert environmental pressure into a competitive advantage.