Dissertation Title: From LIABILITY Social e CORPORATE te INNOVATION i Green: the impact IN performance  

• Author: Blanka XHANI

• Institution: University of Tirana,  Faculty of Economics, Department of Management

• Field of study: Management

• Publication date: 09.01.2026

• The dissertation is published in Albanian.

© Copyright: Blanka GHANI

Published by the University of Tirana
Based on legal acts, regulations and policies of the UT

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Abstract 

This study analyzes the relationship between corporate social responsibility, green innovation and the performance of manufacturing companies in Albania, integrating green innovation as a mediating variable and green dynamic capabilities as a moderating variable. The research was based on a combined approach, using data from a questionnaire distributed to 164 manufacturing companies in Albania, six interviews with field experts and 20 interviews with company managers. The measurement models were validated and then tested inthrough statistical methods through SPSS v.25.0, while interviews served to deepen the understanding of the challenges and opportunities of implementing green innovation. The results provide empirical evidence that corporate social responsibility positively affects non-financial performance through green innovation, however, the mediating impact of green innovation on financial performance was not confirmed, mainly due to high initial costs and lack of financial and institutional support. Green dynamic capabilities turned out to be a key moderating factor that significantly strengthens the relationship between corporate social responsibility and green innovation. On the other hand, internal environmental factors were identified as the main determinants of performance improvement, while external pressures from competitors, suppliers and institutions often acted as obstacles rather than drivers. This study is the first in Albania to integrate into a single model the concepts of corporate social responsibility, green innovation, green dynamic capabilities and the performance of manufacturing companies, emphasizing the role of policies, financing and organizational capacities as key elements in the transformation towards a sustainable and competitive economy. 

Field: Corporate Governance 

Keywords: Corporate social responsibility, green innovation, financial and non-financial performance, green dynamic capability, pressures from state institutions, competitors and suppliers. 

 

Extended  

This study analyzes the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR), green innovation, and the performance of manufacturing companies in Albania, integrating green innovation as a mediating variable and green dynamic capabilities as a moderating variable. The research was based on a mixed-methods approach, using data from a questionnaire distributed to 164 manufacturing companies in Albania, six interviews with experts, and 20 interviews with company managers. The measurement models were validated and then tested through statistical methods using the SPSS v.25.0 program, while the interviews served to deepen the understanding of the challenges and opportunities in implementing green innovation. The results provide empirical evidence that corporate social responsibility positively influences non-financial performance through green innovation; however, the mediating effect of green innovation on financial performance was not confirmed, mainly due to high initial costs and the lack of financial and institutional support. Green dynamic capabilities proved to be a key moderating factor that significantly strengthens the link between corporate social responsibility and green innovation. On the other hand, internal environmental factors were identified as the main determinants of performance improvement, while external pressures from competitors, suppliers, and institutions often acted more as obstacles than drivers. This study is the first in Albania to integrate into a single model the concepts of CSR, green innovation, green dynamic capabilities, and the performance of manufacturing companies, highlighting the role of policies, financing, and organizational capacities as key elements in the transformation towards a sustainable and competitive economy. 

Field of study: 

Corporate Governance 

Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, green innovation, financial and non-financial performance, green dynamic capability, pressures from governmental institutions, competitors, and suppliers.