Purpose

This study aims to investigate how knowledge management (KM) influences the achievement of sustainable objectives in new ventures, considering the mediating roles of board composition and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study considers primary and secondary data from 177 Italian start-ups. Data collection involved a standardized questionnaire to assess KM processes and sustainable practices, supplemented with secondary data on financial performance and the gender composition of the board of directors (BoD). The analysis was conducted using partial least squares structural equation modeling to evaluate the relationships between KM practices, gender diversity, financial performance, and sustainable outcomes.

Findings

The results reveal a significant positive impact of KM on firms’ sustainable practices. Specifically, gender diversity within the BoD and higher financial performance were identified as mediators in start-ups’ sustainability programs. Our study supports the hypothesis that KM practices influence sustainability, highlighting the critical role of specific practices such as knowledge transfer.

Originality/value

This study highlights the significance of KM in improving the sustainability performance of start-ups, addressing a research gap in the intersection between KM and environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations in new ventures. Furthermore, it highlights the pivotal roles of gender diversity and financial performance as critical factors mediating the relationship between KM and ESG practices.

中文翻译：

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探索初创企业的可持续性：知识管理对实现可持续发展目标的影响

 目的

本研究旨在探讨知识管理 （KM） 如何影响新企业实现可持续目标，同时考虑董事会组成和财务业绩的中介作用。

设计/方法/方法

本研究考虑了来自 177 家意大利初创企业的主要和次要数据。数据收集涉及一份标准化问卷，以评估知识管理流程和可持续实践，并辅以有关财务业绩和董事会 （BoD） 性别构成的二手数据。该分析使用偏最小二乘结构方程模型进行，以评估 KM 实践、性别多样性、财务绩效和可持续结果之间的关系。

 发现

结果揭示了知识管理对公司可持续实践的重大积极影响。具体来说，董事会内部的性别多样性和较高的财务业绩被确定为初创企业可持续发展计划的中介因素。我们的研究支持 KM 实践影响可持续性的假设，强调了知识转移等特定实践的关键作用。

 原创性/价值

本研究强调了知识管理在提高初创企业的可持续性绩效方面的重要性，解决了知识管理与新企业的环境、社会和治理 （ESG） 考虑因素之间交叉的研究差距。此外，它强调了性别多样性和财务业绩的关键作用，它们是调节知识管理和 ESG 实践之间关系的关键因素。