Leadership for sustainability: fostering organizational learning to achieve radical innovations

Purpose While concerns about the social and environmental impact that result from business activity continue to grow, a stream of research consolidates understand mechanisms can favor more sustainable companies. The present study tries expand knowledge antecedents radical innovation by analyzing effects alternative understudied constructs. Grounded on stewardship organizational learning theories, this paper analyzes how leaders are concerned with sustainability their companies may boost type facilitating an context promotes experimentation, dialog, participative decision-making, risk-taking interaction external environment. Design/methodology/approach Through structural equation modeling, provides empirical evidence positive effect leader behavior innovation, using capability as explanatory variable. Findings Results suggest fully mediates relationship between innovation. Research limitations/implications This focuses sample frame Spanish recognized excellence in human resources management. Practical implications In growing interest development, concern for consequences economic activities, highlights role played foster which, turn, represent essential tools compete globalized turbulent context. Originality/value To authors’ knowledge, is first mediating contributes understanding affects key capability.