Chapter 3
Overview
This chapter is consisting of an appropriate research methodology that we build. The research methodology is based
on a systematic method that is used when we need to solving a specific problem. This is the step that should comes
first. According to the author (Rajasekar et al., 2013)research method is an effective strategy that is used by the
researcher to resolve the problem that they face in their work. It is possible that the problem stems from the subject
of the research being [Link] this particular stage the researcher used to communicate with others to make their work
more authentic and to analyze the consequences of their work. It has also be claimed that research is a mechanism in
which un common information can also be found. The most important purpose of this to provide the complete
examination of the techniques, methodology and research plan that are further used the study. It will be helpful to
analyze that how KMP has an impact on green technological innovation and sustainable performance as inspiring,
this evaluation is important. The impact of KMP, Absorptive capacity and environmental awareness its overall
impact on sustainable performance and green technological innovation were analyzed . The empirical results
acknowledge with the theoretical basis that was laid forth before. The hypothesis that KMP have a significant impact
on green technological innovation and sustainable performance was empirically examined through quantitative
[Link] will lead to the formation of a sustainable and green technological innovation was then subject for the
analysis. The finding of the particular research is more in details in below. In this chapter we are examined the
research design, theoretical framework, population constructs and analysis the sampling strategies different data
collection techniques and methodology used to run the data
3.1. Research Design
The research design is the important foundation of study. It provides guidelines for the investigation and plays a vital
role in the interpretation of the research findings (Sreejesh et al., 2014). The design of study refers to the strategies
that are used to collect answers of the research questions and to successfully carry out their objectives. Moreover, it
also helpful in the research procedures collecting data for the analysis. (Saunders & Thornhill, 2011). It has details
related to the size of sample and the method that are used to test them. Testing of hypothesis and determine the
extent to which the research influence was the primary focuses of the investigation. Thus, it is all about the research
doings into brand new and natural occurrence. If the nature of the present research is descriptive, then it uses the
deductive methods which entails presenting a general theory via the theme assumption and concluding with the
specific assumption relevant to the topic along with supporting evidence. In other words, if the research is
descriptive in nature, then the deductive method is used. In the present research questionnaire were used solely for
the objective of the data processing and verifying the hypothesis. (Albaum & Murphy, 1988). The questionnaire is
based on the likert scale which has the range from (1, Strongly Disagree to 5 Strongly Agree). Each item that is the
part of questionnaire was relate to the feature f the natural world that was being investigated. The present research is
exploratory that determine the impact of KMP on green technological innovation and sustainable performance along
with the mediating effect of absorptive capacity and moderator Environmental awareness. The instruments were
modified in accordance with the result of different studies; in order to fulfil the survey, need, this questionnaire was
sent to number of small and medium-sized businesses situated in Rawalpindi, Islamabad,
3.2. Population of the study
The primary objective of questionnaire is to gather the information that can be used in
process of evaluating the hypotheses that were the main focus of the research. The population frame
of present research consist of the Top level and middle level managers that are working on Small
and medium sized firms. The cities that are chose for research is Islamabad and Rawalpindi because
these cities are near to each other and can easy to travel the locations utilizing the accessible
resources
3.3. Sampling Techniques
There are many factors that play an important role that lead to the conclusion that purposeful
sample method is most suitable approach in data collection due to following reasons
This technique is inexpensive.
Effective in terms of time
Easy and simple to use
Its easy-to-get volunteers to serve as a sample
This strategy helpful when it is difficult to identify the population and collect precise
data, this strategy is shown to be highly effective
This process demonstrated positive results in many situations
In this research volunteer individuals are picked for the study on how well they know each
other rather than the person is typically of the community as a whole. If the researchers approach
this method, it will increase the chances of getting the is insightful ideas and point of views from the
participants. As research part the variables in the theoretical framework are associated to another,
the employees from SMEs from Islamabad Rawalpindi filled out total 256 questionnaire. I have no
choice but to make sure that use of it due to the limited amount of time I have. Only able to collect
significant number of completed survey in timely while keeping the acceptable level of efficiency
and cost effectiveness thanks to the techniques that known as a known as systematic sampling.
standard for evaluation and comparison
3.4 Unit of Analysis
In analysis process the analytical unit present the level that the data that was taken.
Individual case studies of middle level and top-level managers employed on the SMEs in Islamabad
and Rawalpindi were used in unit of analysis in the study. These cities are located Pakistan. The
data collection had the objective of making differentiation between Pakistan's creative performance
and that of other nations on the rise. Primary sources and reputable teams came from a number of
middle-level and top-level SME sectors in Pakistan to compile the data that was used in this study.
They are involved in both strategic decision-making and day to day operations, making their insights
valuable for research. They interact with both senior leaders and front-line employees, offering a
dual perspective on organization dynamics, communication and culture. Their feedback can
highlight gaps or strengths in process that might not be visible to other hierarchical levels.
3.5. Sample Size
On literature basis, a significant sample size is used and methodology was selected for the
elevation of Two hundred and fifty-six employees working in SMEs of Islamabad and Rawalpindi
that are trustworthy. These employees are working in different department in SMEs. In comparison
of actual sample size , the size of sample is considered good if it is larger than the sample size used in
the study (Green, 1991). For the analysis of Multivariate it is suggested that the sample size has to be
ten times larger than the actual sample size of the research that was provide permission to be carried
out. In order to do multivariate analysis, the sample size has to be ten times larger than the actual
sample size of the research that was granted permission to be carried out (Sekaran & Bougie, 2016).
While the results of other research suggest that the perfect sample size should have to be more than
thirty but have to be less than five hundred. Ideal sample size shown to be more accurate (Field,
2005). The size of the study sample has been addressed by different academics. The sample of the
study is 256 due to the particular [Link] if doing the power analysis on reseach that have
four and five independent variables the probility level have to be assume 0.05 and the suggested
stsistical power level have to be 0.80. which will permit you to make more accurate predictions
about the results.
It is because of participants of high number of people in the research study. In that scanerio the sample
size have to be more than 342. The table that follows provides more clarification about the sample size
used for the investigation that is currently being carried out.
Frequency %
Total 500 100%
Received 276 76%
Valid 256 96.87%
Rejected 20 6.25%
The information pertaining to the size of the sample may be found in the table that follows.
As a direct consequence of this, there was a grand total of 256 questionnaires spread out over the
population. Despite this, a total of 276 out of the 400 surveys were filled out and returned, which
equates to a response rate of 96.87%. even though 20 out of 276 questionnaires were thrown away,
and 6.25 percent were discovered to be lacking needed information, the study was nonetheless
successful. As a direct consequence of this, the regression analysis will use a total of 360
questionnaires, each of which has a validity rating of 90.62 percent.
3.6. Methods of Data Collection
The approach for taking the data is the preparation of the questionnaire with close-ended
question to get the quantitative data. For the comprehensive review of the literature, the
questionnaire was modified in order to incorporate the findings from the variety of different studies
after being the informed by the results of the review. All questionnaire items were graded on a 5-
point scale. On the Likert scale, the extremes of disagreement and agreement are strongly disagreed
and strongly agree, respectively. The various SMES employees were provided physical copies,
which they were tasked with filling out and returning. During data collecting process quantifiable
information was collected via the use questionnaire that contains the questions with the
predetermined answers. After the comprehensive analysis of the literature, the questionnaire is
further revied for the changes. Every question on the survey received a score between 0 and 5 on
Likert scale that is ranged from strongly disagree to agree. The reliable and authentic employees
working in departments (management, production HRM, marketing finance) of Pakistani small and
medium-sized businesses were the recipients of physical copies of questionnaires that were sent to
them.
3.7 Operationalization of Variables and Research Design
3.7.1 Operationalization of Variables
[Link] knowledge management Practices
[Link]
KMP is one of the most essential components that helps to enhance innovation, and when it
comes to the present organizational structure, it is one of the most crucial components. The
management can become more effective and efficient as a result of the incorporation of KMP into
the organizational structure of the company, and the information also helps to the process of shaping
the behavior of the personnel working for the company. KMP differentiates itself from other
organizations by being an active and deliberate effort to capitalize on corporate information to
increase performance and deliver community benefits (Syed-ikhsan and Rowland, 2004). It serves
as a resource for the collecting, diffusion, and effective use of the company's knowledge assets,
which are the primary factor in determining the level of innovation achieved (Darroch, 2005).
Within the scope of this investigation, the processes for managing knowledge are conceptualized as
the gathering, dissemination, and processing of information, respectively.
MEASUREMENT
As a result of this, we were able to deduce the features of the processes involved in knowledge
management, such as acquisition, dissemination, and reactions (Darroch and McNaughton, 2003).
The variables that are being analyzed each have their own unique set of five attributes that set them
apart from the other variables. These qualities are being compared and contrasted. A Likert scale
with five points has been used to record the responses to the questions that have been asked (1 being
strongly agree and 5 being strongly disagree). This scale only makes use of a single dimension.
[Link] Green Technological Innovation
The impact of green technological innovation in organization is stated as the expansion and adoption of that
technologies that minimize environmental impact, help to save natural resources, and encourage sustainable
practices. These innovations aim to address pressing environmental challenges for instance climate change, pollution
effect, resource depletion, and habitat destruction. Green technological innovation is essential for achieving
sustainable development, promoting environmental stewardship, and creating a more prosperous and equitable world
for present and future generations. By embracing innovation and investing in green technologies, it helps us to build
a more resilient, inclusive, and justifiable society that respects planetary boundaries and enhances human well-being.
In the current study we analyzed that how we can make green technological innovation in our companies through
Knowledge Management Practice.
MEASUREMENT
To measure the analysis the responses are gathered through using the four items scale which is established by the
author (Upadhyay, Kumar, & Sahoo, 2022).to tap the responses
[Link] Sustainable performance
The sustainable perform in the study is used as a dependent variable. It is referred towards the capability of
organization to fulfil the needs of not only their customers but also its [Link] can be achieved through an
effective management by organization through employee and staff training their learning and applying appropriate
improvements that are important, and through positive attitude towards the innovation in the organization (E. Calik a
& Bardudeen, 2016). In this research this variable will be use to identified that how knowledge management practice
helps the organization to gain and achieve its sustainable performance.
MEASUREMENT
To Measure the result the scale which is used in this research was developed by (Upadhyay,
Kumar, & Sahoo, 2022). This scale based upon seven items. Responds are recorded on the five-
point Likert scale A score of 1 indicates extremely strong agreement, while a score of 5 indicates
very strong disagreement with the statement.
[Link] Absorptive Capacity
The term absorptive capacity is belonging to a ability of firm to identify the value of information, integrate
it, and put it in their organization to achieve and gain competitive advantage. Organizations which have
the ability to absorb high knowledge can gain from external resource and that will help them to adopt the
appropriate strategic measure as per their own strategic objectives. Their ability to combine outside
resources with their organizational ability to adopt is more proficient. Organizations can increase their
innovation performance by changing their perception of their own competitive environment and gaining
new insights through the use of absorptive capacity.
To measure the analysis the responses are gathered through using the four items scale which is established by
the author (Flatten, Engelen, Zahra, & Brettel, 2011)to tap the responses
Measurement
To measure the analysis the responses are gathered through using the four items scale which is established by
the author (Flatten, Engelen, Zahra, & Brettel, 2011)to tap the responses. 1 indicates a very strong agreement; 5
indicates a very strong disagreement.
Environmental Awareness
Due to globalization, world facing many challenges like changing of climate, high greenhouse effect, problem of
carbon emissions, the reduction of natural resources, lack of availability of energy resources, industrial waste and
many other problems. It is essential to highlight these challenges. These problems are outcome of those activities that
are required for world economic development not only this but industries are consuming high natural resources
irresponsibility deprived of realizing the world environment related problems they produce which will cause
problems in future. To solve these issues and assure both environmental protection and economic development, there
is a need for environmental consciousness on both an individual and industrial level.
MEASUREMENT
A six items scale is used to measure environmental awareness in this study , which is created , by Cao and Chen
(2019). The five-point scale method used in order to analyze the answer (1 considered strongly agree and 5
considered strongly disagree)
Table 3.2: Instrument Adaption
Variables Items Sources
Knowledge acquisition – 5 Darroch and McNaughton, 2003)
Knowledge dissemination – 5 Darroch and McNaughton, 2003)
Knowledge responsiveness – 5 Darroch and McNaughton, 2003)
Green knowledge sharing behavior – 10 Wong 2013)
Environmental beliefs and values – 7 Stern et al. (1999).
Green innovation 9 Chen, Lai, and Wen (2006)
Total Instrument items 41
3.7.2 Data Collection
[Link] Instrument
We used self-administered questionnaires in this study. The questionnaire was spread towards the employee the
organizations and some are filled online from the SME’s companies in Islamabad Pakistan through email.
Cronbach’s coefficient alpha method is used to determine related to the reliability of the study. It is hypothetical
supposed that the data set only be acceptable if the value are .7 and more than that (Cronbach, 1951). From the below
given table it is understood that the value of all present variables is more than 0.90. it shows the variables present in
the study are more identified from each other. They are belonging from the same constructs and have high degree of
consistency.
If a number is less than.7, it indicates that the collection of data that was acquired is dubious and
maybe insufficient for obtaining the required or proper results. In a similar vein, outcomes that are
acceptable are those that are relatively near to the value 0.7.
Scale Cronbach’s Alpha
Knowledge Management Practices .905
Sustainable Performance .909
Green Technological Innovation .978
Environmental Awareness .945
Absorptive capacity .964
[Link] Data Collection and Procedure
The questionnaire is used in this study as a mean of instrument for taking the primary set of data for analysis. The
questionnaire which includes different questions are taken to recognize knowledge management practice impact on
green technological innovation and company sustainable performance. Questionnaire method has been selected for
data collection. Through the filled questionnaire, knowledge management practice and its effect on green
technological innovation and Sustainable performance in SMEs that are located in Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Pakistan is analyzed.
The questionnaire used in order to fulfil the goal of data collection. Utilizing the questionnaire helpful in enabling
the identification of green technological innovation and sustainable performance, KMP, absorptive capacity and
environmental awareness. To complete the data gathering it is essential to visit the organizations. Respondents that
are available at working places were invited to fill the questionnaire. It is also giving surety to the respondents that
their response will only be taken for the research purpose only and the provide responses will be safe and it will keep
secret and can be used only for the research purpose. It was somehow difficult task to take secret data directly from
the staffs while they were busy in performing their office task. Though, employees were asking many times and most
of the time waited for them to complete their task and provide us their opinion. Unfortunately, in this task some
employees and some companies apologized while mostly appreciated and filled it in a quite friendly way while
asking some question of related project. It was really difficult to adjust the time as time was the main hindrance in
data collection, as some firms refuse to take these data from their employees. Some upper-level managers played
vital and kind towards taking questionnaire data as they requested some of the employees on their own behalf to fill
the questionnaire. From some organization I get few questionnaires from the next day from some employees who
were very busy to perform their task and failed to fill it on the questionnaire on very moment. Some organizations
are visited for more than two days to collect data due to employees non availability.
Despite this, a conclusion on the size of the sample was reached after a number of visits were made to a
representative sample of manufacturing SMEs. Some of the respondents who were offered remuneration in
exchange for completing the questionnaire declined the offer, citing the possibility that the findings may
be skewed as a justification for their decision. When it came to the collecting of data, managers' coworkers
played a significant and useful part in the process. They specifically requested that particular managers fill
out the questionnaire, and the next day, they received a limited number of completed surveys from
managers who had been in a hurry and were unable to finish it at the time. Because of this, we were able to
get a more precise picture of the manager population.
3.7.5 Data Analysis and Processing
The next step after the collection of data was its analysis and processing of data. from this task the software that is
used is the SPSS latest version (version 20).it is mainly used for the data analysis processing. It supports broad range
of statistical techniques, including descriptive statistics, regression, ANOVA and non- parametric tests. It is ideal for
exploratory and confirmatory analysis. It offers robust tools for handing cleaning and organizing data, making it
easier to prepare dataset for analysis and also helpful to supports multiple data formats and process large datasets
efficientlyFor this investigation, an additional phase called SEM analysis and the AMOS software is employed. The
present data analyzed through using the software that is called the statistical package for social science (SPSS), and
the final coding is done based on the Likert scale defined in the questionnaire. Additionally, the responses are
inputted in accordance with the requirements of this research. In accordance with the specifications, structural
equation modelling (SEM), which will be carried out using SPSS, is also utilized to analyses the data utilizing
moment structures (AMOS).
In order to measure the study reliability in the present study the SPSS is used Furthermore, the software SPSS is
helpful for the purpose to examine the data in terminologies towards the analysis of the descriptive statistics.
Towards the authorization of outcomes accomplished in the analysis through the use of the two analysis that are
exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.
Furthermore, SEM is employed to analyze the given hypothesis that is put out in the study and model. As a
fundamental feature of AMOS, the structural equation modeling is also applied to extract values from SPSS data
sheets and evaluate the proposed model.
3.7.6 AMOS AND STRUCTURAL EQUATION MODELING (SEM)
[Link] AMOS
The two main components available for the analysis in the present study are Moment structure as a (AMOS, version
5) that is included on the module for SPSS are AMOS Graphics and AMOS Basic. Using AMOS Graphics, model
specifications can be expressed visually, assisting in facilitating the display of a visual representation of the model.
Model specifications may additionally be obtained from equation statements utilizing AMOS Basic. The potential of
AMOS to present confidence intervals for bootstrapped standard error and parameter estimations is an essential
capability. AMOS has a graphical interface that makes SEM modeling easier compared to the coding-based approach
in R (layaan). Researcher without programming experience often prefer AMOS. SPSS and AMOS are recognized as
industry standards, increasing the credibility and acceptance of research findings.
[Link] STRUCTUAL EQUATION MODELING (SEM)
As per the analysis of (Lei & Wu, 2008), Many statistical models are explained by structural equation modelling,
which is useful for evaluating the generality of underlying theories to empirical data. It is a statistical extension
towards the Multiple Linear Regression and the other is Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) techniques employed in
General Linear Modelling (GLM). When contrasted with other GLM, SEM is better. The cause for this is that it may
examine haphazard correlations between latent variables, which are defined by many processes. The ability to model
intricate interactions between observable and latent variables of analysis is one of the key reasons. It can be used to
perform the analysis of cross-sectional as well as the longitudinal data in calculation the analysis of experimental
and non-experimental data.
For the latent construct it can be additionally involved for the calculation of latent construct
Simply the SEM analysis involves the review of two models that are called the path model and the second is called
a measurement model. In the path model analysis, the virtually presented diagram provides the relationships of the
variable’s different estimates and with the aid of SEM build the model fit. SEM's primary goal is to understand that
if model is proposed or consistent with the gathered data or not. A model fit can be used to quantify this consistency.
The degree to which the proposed links are reasonable is indicated by the model fit.
3.8DATA CODING AND ANALYSIS TECHNIQUE
The coding of the data is done using SPSS (version 20), and the analysis of the data is done
with SEM analysis conducted using AMOS. Both of these analyses were performed on the data.
Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is considered to be more versatile than other multivariate
methodologies because it enables researchers to investigate simultaneous, multiple dependent
interactions between dependent and independent variables. This is one of the reasons why SEM is
considered to be more versatile. This assumption exists for a number of reasons, one of which is
because it allows researchers to investigate causal linkages. To put it another way, factors that were
dependent in previous study may be recast as independent variables in later investigations, provided
that the context allows for such a transformation. The use of Cronbach's alpha with a value that is
higher than 0.7 is utilised in order to evaluate the validity and reliability of the instrument. Analyses
are also performed on the descriptive statistics of the instrument, which include the mean,
percentage, and standar deviation.