Payame Noor University Journals of Environmental Education and Sustainable Development 2322-3057 13 2 2025 02 19 The Effect of Knowledge Inertia on the Phenomenon of Greenwashing with the Mediating Role of Weakening Competitiveness in Knowledge-Based Companies The Effect of Knowledge Inertia on the Phenomenon of Greenwashing with the Mediating Role of Weakening Competitiveness in Knowledge-Based Companies 167 185 11618 10.30473/ee.2023.66494.2592 FA Seyyed Najmaddin Mousavi Professor, Department of Management. Faculty of Management and Economic Lorestan University, Khoramabad, Iran. Abdollah Saedi Assistant Professor, Department of Management. Faculty of Management and Economic Lorestan University, Khoramabad, Iran. Journal Article 2023 02 14 Greenwashing is a phenomenon that promotes hypocritical and deceptive behavior under the guise of environmental protection, driven by the pursuit of profit and reputation. This study aimed to analyze and examine the effect of knowledge inertia on greenwashing in knowledge-based companies, with the mediating role of weakened competitiveness. In terms of purpose, this study is applied, and in terms of method and nature, it falls under descriptive-survey research. A standard and researcher-made questionnaire was used to measure the variables, with validity and reliability confirmed through face validity and Cronbach's alpha, respectively. To measure knowledge inertia, the questionnaire developed by Liao et al. (2008) was used, while a researcher-made questionnaire was employed for the greenwashing and competitiveness weakening variables. The statistical population included 295 employees from 15 knowledge-based companies in Lorestan province, and 167 employees were selected as sample members using convenience sampling and Morgan's table. The number of employees per company is detailed in the methodology section. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with Amos version 22 and SPSS version 26. The results showed that at a 95% confidence level, knowledge inertia has a positive and significant effect on both greenwashing and competitiveness weakening. Furthermore, indirect path analysis revealed the mediating role of weakened competitiveness in the relationship between knowledge inertia and greenwashing. Greenwashing is a phenomenon that promotes hypocritical and deceptive behavior under the guise of environmental protection, driven by the pursuit of profit and reputation. This study aimed to analyze and examine the effect of knowledge inertia on greenwashing in knowledge-based companies, with the mediating role of weakened competitiveness. In terms of purpose, this study is applied, and in terms of method and nature, it falls under descriptive-survey research. A standard and researcher-made questionnaire was used to measure the variables, with validity and reliability confirmed through face validity and Cronbach's alpha, respectively. To measure knowledge inertia, the questionnaire developed by Liao et al. (2008) was used, while a researcher-made questionnaire was employed for the greenwashing and competitiveness weakening variables. The statistical population included 295 employees from 15 knowledge-based companies in Lorestan province, and 167 employees were selected as sample members using convenience sampling and Morgan's table. The number of employees per company is detailed in the methodology section. Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with Amos version 22 and SPSS version 26. The results showed that at a 95% confidence level, knowledge inertia has a positive and significant effect on both greenwashing and competitiveness weakening. Furthermore, indirect path analysis revealed the mediating role of weakened competitiveness in the relationship between knowledge inertia and greenwashing. https://ee.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_11618_40ea1829397f587e34254358a270726f.pdf