How Does Environmental Sustainability Commitment Affect Corporate Environmental Performance: A Chain Mediation Model

Jinshan Zhang, Xuan Shao and Tingshu Sun ()
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Jinshan Zhang: School of Business and Management, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Xuan Shao: School of Business and Management, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China
Tingshu Sun: School of Business and Management, Jilin University, Changchun 130012, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-22

Abstract: Amid escalating ecological concerns and regulatory pressures, firms are adopting environmental sustainability commitments to enhance competitiveness and fulfill social responsibilities. However, the internal mechanisms linking these commitments to environmental performance remain insufficiently explored. This study investigates how corporate environmental sustainability commitments improve environmental performance by integrating the Planned Behavior Theory and Organizational Change Theory. Using structural equation modeling with 324 firm-level responses, we identify a chain mediation pathway. Results indicate that environmental sustainability commitment positively influences corporate environmental performance through the chain-mediating effects of green readiness and green opportunity identification and exploitation. By extending the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework, we delineate three dimensions of green readiness, showing that organization readiness exhibits the strongest mediating role. This study advances theoretical understanding by mapping the pathway from sustainability intentions to performance through internal capabilities and actions. Practically, it helps firms systematically align environmental and economic goals while avoiding greenwashing risks.

Keywords: environmental sustainability commitment; corporate environmental performance; green readiness; green opportunity identification and exploitation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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