Green competencies: Construct development and measurement validation

Abstract

Abstract The organisations formulate and implement green human resource management practices to achieve competitive advantage. In green human resource management literature, green competencies has evolved to a significant construct in the recent years. The state-of-the-art literature on green human resource management considers green competencies as an essential requirement for organisation to achieve environmental performance. However, literature lacks construct development and measurement validation regarding the concept of green competencies. In this regard, the study developed a Green Competencies Scale in accordance with the Natural Resource-Based View. Initially, an extensive literature review was conducted to identify the six dimensions of the construct. Subsequently, through fifteen qualitative interviews, the authors matched the literature review with the statements of the respondents and finalised a total of forty items. Later, the Q-sort procedure was conducted to refine the results. Exploratory Factor Analysis was completed to determine the factor structure of the green competencies construct, which is comprised of six dimensions and twenty nine items. After finalising the scale, the partial least square structural equation modelling tool was tested to prove the construct's precision, which reasserted its reliability and validity. To examine the nomological validity, the direct effect of green training on green competencies was examined and the relationship was affirmed. The key finding of the study is that green competencies is a reflective, multi-dimensional scale which comprises of dimensions such as green knowledge, green skills, green abilities, green attitudes, green behaviour and green awareness. The direct relationship between green training and green competencies was evaluated. The theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed followed by the future scope and limitations.