The human side of green innovation: a systematic literature review of green innovative work behavior

Green Innovative Work Behavior (GIWB) has gained increasing attention as organizations seek to integrate environmental sustainability into employee-driven innovation. Despite rapid growth, the field remains fragmented, characterized by inconsistent terminology and limited synthesis at the individual level. To address this gap, this study employs a PRISMA-guided systematic literature review and content analysis of 88 empirical journal articles from Scopus and Web of Science published up to early July 2026. The findings reveal a sharp rise in research activity, with a strong concentration in Asian contexts, particularly China, and a dominant focus on the hospitality sector. Social Exchange Theory remains the dominant theoretical foundation, while Social Identity Theory, Ability-Motivation-Opportunity, and Conservation of Resources theory are increasingly applied. Methodologically, the literature is dominated by quantitative approaches, limiting causal interpretation and contextual understanding. A key novelty of this review lies in the development of an integrative framework that systematically connects antecedents, mediators, moderators, and outcomes across individual, group, leadership, and organizational levels. The review also identifies underrepresented contexts, methodological imbalances, and emerging research directions. By integrating fragmented findings into a coherent multilevel structure, this study provides a stronger conceptual foundation for advancing GIWB research.