Do cultural controls, eco-learning and environmental strategy lead to high environmental innovation?

Purpose – This study aims to analyze the effect of cultural controls and environmental strategy (ES) on environmental innovation (EI). Second, this study examines the role of eco-learning (ECOL) in ES.
Design/methodology/approach – This research sample was composed of 150 publicly traded Brazilian companies that participated in a survey. The hypotheses were analyzed through structural equation modeling and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis.
Findings – The results showed that cultural controls have a negative effect on ES and a positive effect on EI. This study highlights the importance of ES and ECOL in mitigating the negative impact of cultural controls. The results suggest that organizations adopt a high degree of ECOL and ES to achieve high EI.
Originality/value – This study expands the understanding of the ambivalence of cultural controls and contributes to the literature by suggesting combining them with ES and ECOL to generate environmental benefits.