Impact of environmental orientation on financial performance of the company due to the mediating role of suppliers green management and the moderating role of social capital

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Department of financial Management, E campus, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 1. Department of management, E campus, Islamic Azad university, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/jmek.2026.426008.1115
Abstract
Many companies have recognized the importance of green management and actively engaged in related activities such as environmental orientation. The central goal of environmental orientation management is to achieve high performance and sustainable competitive advantages, but the literature on the financial benefits of green management is limited. In this regard, the present study examines the impact of environmental orientation on corporate financial performance with regard to the mediating role of green supplier management and the moderating role of social capital. The present study is a descriptive-survey research. The statistical population consists of active export industries admitted to Tehran Stock Exchange. A sample of 100 companies was selected to collect financial performance data, and a senior manager from each company answered the environmental orientation, green supplier management, and social capital questionnaires. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling and SmartPLS and SPSS software. The findings indicated that green supplier management plays a positive and significant mediating role and social capital plays a positive and significant moderating role in influencing environmental orientation on corporate financial performance. It was found that environmental orientation had a significant and positive impact on financial performance and green supplier management. Also, green supplier management has a positive and significant effect on financial performance. Finally, the findings confirmed the significant moderating role of social capital in the impact of environmental orientation on green supplier management.
Keywords
Subjects

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Volume 6, Issue 4
Winter 2026
Pages 78-109

  • Receive Date 06 December 2025
  • Revise Date 19 December 2025
  • Accept Date 15 February 2026