Ethical Leadership, Bricolage, and Eco-Innovation in the Chinese Manufacturing Industry: A Multi-Theory Perspective

The integrated correlations of ethical leadership, environmental innovation, sustainable performance, and entrepreneurial bricolage were examined using the upper echelons and effectuation theories. The research utilised data from 223 manufacturing firms in north-eastern China, which indicated a 74.33 per cent response rate. The partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis exposed the significant positive impact of ethical leadership on environmental innovation and of the latter on sustainable performance. Furthermore, the current findings support the significant indirect effect of ethical leadership on sustainable performance through environmental innovation. The empirical results suggest an amplified impact of ethical leadership on environmental innovation, suggesting increasing bricolage values. Accordingly, the implications and limitations of the present study are elucidated in the final section of this article.

Automated summary

This study examines the integrated correlations of ethical leadership, environmental innovation, sustainable performance, and entrepreneurial bricolage using upper echelons and effectuation theories. Analyzing data from 223 manufacturing firms in northeastern China, the study finds significant positive impacts of ethical leadership on environmental innovation and of the latter on sustainable performance. The results also support the indirect effect of ethical leadership on sustainable performance through environmental innovation, highlighting an amplified impact of ethical leadership on environmental innovation and increasing bricolage values.