Promoting green healthcare initiatives: a systematic literature review, conceptual framework and future research agenda

Amid growing global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and rising healthcare demand, healthcare systems increasingly prioritize green and sustainable practices to promote human health and environmental well-being. This study aims to systematically review the current literature on Green Healthcare Initiatives (GHI) in healthcare organizations, identifying research gaps and proposing future directions. Using the SPAR-4 SLR protocol, 85 studies from Scopus and Web of Science databases were analyzed through descriptive and thematic methods alongside the TCCM (Theory, Context, Characteristics, and Methods) framework. It focuses on Green Organizational Capital (leadership, stakeholder involvement, and cultural considerations) as a bridge between implementing GHI and achieving long-term sustainable performance. The analysis emphasizes the critical role of theories like the resource-based view (RBV), Stakeholder theory, and natural-resource-based view (NRBV) in forming GHI. Leadership commitment emerged as a key driver for embedding sustainability as a core organizational value rather than a peripheral initiative. The study emphasizes doable tactics for promoting GHI, like utilizing technology breakthroughs and incorporating sustainability into healthcare culture. This study offers a comprehensive understanding of GHI and its potential to revolutionize healthcare systems, which benefits researchers, policymakers, and stakeholders in the healthcare industry. Additionally, it establishes the foundation for future research to advance sustainable healthcare practices globally.