Abstract: Sustaining innovation stands as a crucial element for enterprises seeking a competitive edge and enduring stability. Executives, being the decision-makers and implementers of innovation within enterprises, play a pivotal role. This article utilizes data from listed manufacturing companies spanning 2010 to 2020 as the research sample. Examining executive background characteristics, the study delves into the impact of executives' R&D background on the sustainability of innovation while also investigating the mediating role of shortsightedness. The research reveals that an executive's R&D background significantly and positively influences innovation sustainability. Furthermore, shortsightedness partially mediates the impact of an executive's R&D background on innovation sustainability, indicating that an R&D-oriented background promotes sustainability by mitigating shortsightedness. In conclusion, the article recommends that companies intensify efforts to bring in and nurture executives with research and development backgrounds, emphasizing the significance of ongoing sustainable innovation activities.