The impact of green supply chain management on green innovation: A meta-analysis from the inter-organizational learning perspective

We aim to investigate the relationship between green supply chain management (GSCM) and green innovation (GI) since prior studies are fragmented and have reported mixed empirical findings. This study conducts a meta-analysis of 48 peer-reviewed journal articles to untangle the general GSCM–GI relationship and identify potential moderating effects from an inter-organizational learning (IOL) perspective. We synthesize the extant literature and demonstrate a positive and significant GSCM–GI relationship. Furthermore, we decompose and distinguish the benefits of various GSCM practices. Meta-regression analyses indicate that proactive GSCM has a higher effect on GI than reactive GSCM. Yet, there are no significant discrepancies between the learning effects of green supplier management and green customer management. More importantly, we uncover that the GSCM's impact on GI varies across learning contexts. Specifically, national green orientation has an enhancing effect on the GSCM–GI relationship. Our study contributes to existing meta-analytic studies about GSCM by focusing on the GSCM–GI link and suggests that the IOL perspective may facilitate deep understandings on this relationship, which could be a promising pathway for future research in this area. •Green supply chain management (GSCM) is a key driver of green innovation (GI).•Inter-organizational learning theory aids the investigation of the GSCM–GI linkage.•Both green supplier and customer management have positive effects on GI.•Proactive GSCM has higher positive effects on GI than reactive GSCM.•Learning contexts play an important role in shaping the GSCM–GI relationship.