How Do Family Firm Types Shape Green Innovation & Corporate Environmental Responsibility? Evidence from ISO-Certified Enterprises in Germany

This study investigates how heterogeneous ownership and control structures within German family firms influence corporate environmental responsibility and green technology innovation (GI). Grounded in agency theory and the socioemotional wealth (SEW) framework, we categorize family-controlled firms into three distinct types based on ownership dispersion and managerial involvement. We then assess their differential impacts on eco-friendly governance (FG) and GI, while also examining the moderating role of ISO 14001 certification. Utilizing a panel dataset of 15,030 firm-year observations from listed German firms between 2011 and 2023, drawn from the Orbis database, we employ pooled regression models with robustness checks via Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and Generalized Method of Moments (GMM). The empirical results reveal that Type I family firms (full control and ownership by a single person) exhibit a significant negative association with FG but a positive association with GI, indicating a preference for innovation-led efficiency over broader governance commitments. In contrast, Type III firms (with family members in management or board roles) positively influence FG but negatively affect GI, likely due to resource allocation trade-offs. ISO 14001 certifications directly enhance FG and positively moderate the impact of GI on governance outcomes. Furthermore, ISO certifications (ISO-C) amplify the positive effect of Type III firms on FG while attenuating the negative governance outcomes associated with Types I and II. This study contributes to the sustainability and family firm literature by developing a novel typology of family governance structures and identifying the conditional role of ISO standards in aligning innovation with environmental governance. The findings offer strategic insights for policymakers and corporate leaders aiming to foster sustainability transitions in family-driven economies like Germany.