Effects of green human resource management on green innovation through green human capital, environmental knowledge, and managerial environmental concern

Abstract

The current literature in the environmental management domain proposes that employee behaviour is essential to enhancing environmental outcomes, but few studies have examined how human resource management (HRM) is linked with the green innovation of organisations. The study aims to investigate the interrelationship between green human resource management and green innovation in the hotel industry through the mediation of green human capital and environmental knowledge and moderation of managerial environmental concerns (MEC). The study was conducted on 209 participants from several occupational levels, including frontline workers, entry-level management, middle management, and top management employees of various hotel chains in Pakistan. Data were collected through stratified random sampling and analysed using the partial least structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) technique. Resultantly, GHRM positively contributed to the green innovation of organisations. The mediating roles of green human capital and environmental knowledge were also statistically significant. Furthermore, the results reveal that the link between GHRM and green human capital is stronger with MEC as a moderator. The study contributes to the body of knowledge by investigating environmental protection based on the human capital theory through empirical evidence on hypothesised relationships. Moreover, the study extends the GHRM scope by adding predictors such as environmental knowledge for efficient hotel industry performance.