,
School of International Studies, Universiti Utara Malaysia , Kedah Darul Aman , Malaysia
,
Senior Lecturer, International Business Program, Universiti Utara Malaysia , Kedah Darul Aman , Malaysia
Senior Lecturer, Entrepreneurship Program, Universiti Utara Malaysia , Kedah Darul Aman , Malaysia
Purpose: The study aims to establish the connection between green entrepreneurship variables,
environmental management, green technologies, green commitment of individuals, and the
environmentally sustainable workforce, and the performance of internationalization of the SME in China.
It further examines the mediating position of eco-innovation and the moderating position of the
government support program in this connection. Theoretical Framework: The research hypothesizes the
performance of internationalization as the dependent variable, and the variables of green entrepreneurship
as the independent variables. The mediator is eco-innovation, whereas the government support programs
moderate the connection between eco-innovation and the performance of internationalization. The model
is anchored on the Resource-based View (RBV). Methodology: The quantitative research design is
applied, and the data is gathered by means of a self-administered questionnaire that will be distributed
among manufacturing SMEs engaged in export business in Shanxi province, China. Findings: The
research paper identifies the importance of green entrepreneurship factors in promoting the
internationalization performance of SMEs. Strong contributors to internationalization are environmental
management (coefficient = 0.325, p < 0.01) and green technologies (coefficient = 0.418, p < 0.01). The
individual green commitment (coefficient = 0.267, p < 0.05) also has a positive influence on
internationalization, and this interaction is mediated by eco-innovation (coefficient = 0.415, p < 0.001).
The indirect effect of the environmentally sustainable workforce (coefficient = 0.193, p = 0.053) on the
internationalization performance is also marginal. Research Implication: The results provide a significant
implication to the SMEs and the policy makers, since it is clear that green entrepreneurship practices
should be integrated to promote internationalization. Eco-innovation is a key factor in enhancing
competitiveness, and such initiatives can be enhanced by the government. Originality/Value: The study
adds to the discussion of how the factors of green entrepreneurship and eco-innovation can lead to the
internationalization performance in SMEs, which present the opportunity to achieve sustainable growth
and competitiveness on the global level.
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