## **Environmental Sustainability and Executive Leadership: Impact of Government Work Experience on Pollution Control Investment****1. Introduction**Environmental sustainability has gained paramount importance in recent years due to rising concerns about climate change and resource depletion. Enterprises play a crucial role in mitigating environmental degradation, and the leadership's role is pivotal in shaping corporate environmental policies and practices. This study investigates the impact of CEOs with government work experience on enterprise investment in pollution control, providing insights into the influence of career imprinting on environmental sustainability.**2. Theoretical Framework and Hypothesis***Imprinting Theory:* Imprinting theory posits that an organization or individual's early experiences create long-lasting cognitive, behavioral, and cultural patterns. CEOs with government work experience are likely to carry imprints of government values, such as public service orientation and environmental awareness.*Hypothesis 1*>CEOs with government work experience are positively associated with enterprise investment in pollution control.**3. Moderating Effect of CEO Status Perception**Status perception refers to an individual's subjective assessment of their social, economic, and political standing. Weber's theory of social stratification distinguishes these dimensions of status, and CEOs may have distinct status perceptions due to their prior government experience. This study examines how status perception moderates the relationship between CEO government work experience and pollution control investment.**4. Research Method**Data were obtained from the Chinese Private Enterprise Survey (CPES), covering a sample of private enterprises from 2008 to 2014.**5. Results**>Hypothesis 1*: Supported. CEOs with government work experience had a significant positive impact on enterprise investment in pollution control.>Hypothesis 2a*: Economic status perception moderated the relationship negatively.>Hypothesis 2b*: Social status perception moderated the relationship negatively.>Hypothesis 2c*: Political status perception moderated the relationship negatively.**6. Discussion**The study's findings suggest that:* CEOs with government work experience have a heightened awareness of environmental issues and a greater propensity to prioritize pollution control investments.* The positive impact of government imprinting is moderated by status perception, with high economic, social, and political status perception weakening the relationship.* This study highlights the importance of considering the career backgrounds and status perceptions of CEOs in understanding their environmental decision-making.**7. Conclusion**This research contributes to the literature on career imprinting and environmental sustainability by demonstrating the positive impact of CEO government work experience on pollution control investment. It also expands the understanding of status perception's role in moderating this relationship, offering valuable insights for enterprises seeking to enhance their environmental performance.**8. Implications*** **For Enterprises:** Hire CEOs with government work experience to enhance environmental awareness and commitment to pollution control. Foster an inclusive environment that respects diverse status perceptions to encourage proactive environmental action.* **For Government:** Support initiatives that facilitate the transition of government officials to enterprise leadership roles. Provide training and resources to enhance CEOs' understanding of environmental regulations and best practices.* **For Future Research:** Explore the nuanced mechanisms through which CEO government work experience and status perception influence environmental decision-making. Examine the effects of environmental regulations and stakeholder pressures on these relationships.