INTEGRATING SOCIAL INNOVATION AND GREEN TECHNOLOGY TO DRIVE ORGANIZATIONAL SUSTAINABLE GOALS

The world is experiencing rapid global changes driven by market liberalisation, shifting consumer behaviours, and growing environmental and socioeconomic pressures. To remain competitive and achieve sustainable performance, companies increasingly integrate social innovation and green technologies into their business models. This study investigates the influence of social innovation (SI) on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), considering green technologies (GT) as a mediating factor. Data were collected through an online survey administered to 265 employees and managers of Romanian companies in the production, services, IT, and commerce sectors. A structured questionnaire measured the three constructs - Social Innovation (SI), Green Technologies (GT), and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) - as reflective models, each operationalised through 15 indicators rated on a five-point Likert scale. Data were analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4.0. The results reveal that SI has a significant positive effect on both GT (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) and SDG (β = 0.35, p < 0.001), while GT also positively influences SDG (β = 0.44, p < 0.001). The mediation analysis confirms that GT partially mediates the relationship between SI and SDG (β = 0.20, p < 0.001). The model demonstrates substantial explanatory power (R² = 0.51 for GT; R² = 0.63 for SDG) and good general fit of the model (SRMR = 0.056). This research contributes to the literature by empirically validating the mediating role of green technologies in linking social innovation with sustainable outcomes and expanding knowledge on how organisations can operationalise the UN 2030 Agenda. The findings offer practical information for managers and policy makers seeking to align corporate strategies with environmental and social objectives through a combined focus on innovation and the adoption of green technologies.