Green Human Resource Management and Organizational Sustainability

Abstract

Environmental sustainability has become an increasingly important organizational concern. Although sustainability strategies often focus on technology, operations, supply chains, and resource efficiency, human resource management also plays an important role because employees implement organizational policies in practice. Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) integrates environmental considerations into recruitment, training, performance management, rewards, employee involvement, and organizational culture. This conceptual paper examines the potential relationship between GHRM and organizational sustainability. Drawing upon the Ability–Motivation–Opportunity framework and stakeholder theory, the paper proposes that GHRM can contribute to sustainability by developing employee environmental capabilities, motivating environmentally responsible behaviour, and providing opportunities for participation. The paper also considers green organizational culture and leadership as important contextual factors. The paper argues that sustainability should not be treated solely as an operational objective; it should be incorporated into people-management systems.