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Background: Rooted in centuries of tradition and closely linked to the local area, the wine industry has enjoyed great social and
cultural recognition for centuries. However, in recent times, it has been facing increasing environmental pressures and chang-
ing market expectations, forcing wineries to rethink their practices to reduce the negative impact of their activity on the natural
environment. In this context, the role of responsible leadership in promoting sustainability has become crucial, considering the
current ecological challenges and the increasing pressure on businesses to focus on both environmental and economic out-
comes. The main aim of this study is to analyze the impact of responsible leadership on firms' green operational efficiency, both
directly and indirectly through the mediating effect of green corporate management and green absorptive capacity. Primary
data were obtained from a sample of 207 Spanish wineries, which were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equa-
tion modeling technique.
Results: The findings reveal a positive and significant influence of responsible leadership on green operational efficiency, and
the mediating effect of the variables green corporate management and green absorptive capacity, based on which relevant the-
oretical and practical implications are provided, as well as actionable insights for scholars, managers and policymakers striving
to embed environmental responsibility at the core of business strategy.
Conclusions: This research underscores the importance of establishing a leadership approach based on respect for the environ-
ment and society to drive business sustainability and guide companies towards a more sustainable and competitive future, thus
aligning their operations with the sustainability goals set out in the 2030 Agenda.
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