Fostering sustainable development: the role of green HRM and green work engagement

Abstract This study examines the relationship between green human resource management (GHRM) practices and sustainable performance (SP) of manufacturing SMEs in Saudi Arabia, with a particular focus on the mediating role of green work engagement (GWE). Drawing on the resource-based View (RBV) and so...

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Main Authors: Asma Alfadel, Shaker M. Al-Kahtani, Abdul-Wasea Abdul-Ghani Saif Al-Mekhlafi, Adeeb Alhebri, Afaf Ahmed
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-04-01
Series:Discover Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01167-z
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author Asma Alfadel
Shaker M. Al-Kahtani
Abdul-Wasea Abdul-Ghani Saif Al-Mekhlafi
Adeeb Alhebri
Afaf Ahmed
author_facet Asma Alfadel
Shaker M. Al-Kahtani
Abdul-Wasea Abdul-Ghani Saif Al-Mekhlafi
Adeeb Alhebri
Afaf Ahmed
author_sort Asma Alfadel
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study examines the relationship between green human resource management (GHRM) practices and sustainable performance (SP) of manufacturing SMEs in Saudi Arabia, with a particular focus on the mediating role of green work engagement (GWE). Drawing on the resource-based View (RBV) and social exchange theory (SET), the study positions GHRM as a strategic driver of sustainability by fostering employee engagement in environmentally responsible practices. Data were collected from 201 manufacturing SMEs and analyzed using structural equation modeling via SmartPLS. The findings indicate that GHRM positively influences SP, both directly and indirectly, through GWE, which serves as a partial mediator. These results underscore the critical role of an engaged workforce in translating green HRM policies into meaningful sustainability outcomes. By extending the discourse on GHRM within the context of SMEs in an emerging economy, this study contributes to the literature on sustainable management practices and provides actionable insights for business leaders and policymakers. It highlights the necessity of integrating green HR strategies with national sustainability initiatives, particularly within the framework of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, to enhance organizational resilience and environmental responsibility.
format Article
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institution OA Journals
issn 2662-9984
language English
publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Springer
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series Discover Sustainability
spelling doaj-art-4892e4bbbbf44a47893e12330710476c2025-08-20T02:17:53ZengSpringerDiscover Sustainability2662-99842025-04-016111410.1007/s43621-025-01167-zFostering sustainable development: the role of green HRM and green work engagementAsma Alfadel0Shaker M. Al-Kahtani1Abdul-Wasea Abdul-Ghani Saif Al-Mekhlafi2Adeeb Alhebri3Afaf Ahmed4Management Department, College of Business Administration, King Saud UniversityDepartment of Business Administration, Administrative Science College, Albaydha UniversityBusiness Administration Faculty, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz UniversityAccounting Program, Applied College at Muhyle, King Khalid UniversityBusiness Administration Program, Applied College at Sarat Obeida, King Khalid UniversityAbstract This study examines the relationship between green human resource management (GHRM) practices and sustainable performance (SP) of manufacturing SMEs in Saudi Arabia, with a particular focus on the mediating role of green work engagement (GWE). Drawing on the resource-based View (RBV) and social exchange theory (SET), the study positions GHRM as a strategic driver of sustainability by fostering employee engagement in environmentally responsible practices. Data were collected from 201 manufacturing SMEs and analyzed using structural equation modeling via SmartPLS. The findings indicate that GHRM positively influences SP, both directly and indirectly, through GWE, which serves as a partial mediator. These results underscore the critical role of an engaged workforce in translating green HRM policies into meaningful sustainability outcomes. By extending the discourse on GHRM within the context of SMEs in an emerging economy, this study contributes to the literature on sustainable management practices and provides actionable insights for business leaders and policymakers. It highlights the necessity of integrating green HR strategies with national sustainability initiatives, particularly within the framework of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, to enhance organizational resilience and environmental responsibility.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01167-zGreen human resource managementSustainable performanceGreen work engagementSMEsSaudi Arabia
spellingShingle Asma Alfadel
Shaker M. Al-Kahtani
Abdul-Wasea Abdul-Ghani Saif Al-Mekhlafi
Adeeb Alhebri
Afaf Ahmed
Fostering sustainable development: the role of green HRM and green work engagement
Discover Sustainability
Green human resource management
Sustainable performance
Green work engagement
SMEs
Saudi Arabia
title Fostering sustainable development: the role of green HRM and green work engagement
title_full Fostering sustainable development: the role of green HRM and green work engagement
title_fullStr Fostering sustainable development: the role of green HRM and green work engagement
title_full_unstemmed Fostering sustainable development: the role of green HRM and green work engagement
title_short Fostering sustainable development: the role of green HRM and green work engagement
title_sort fostering sustainable development the role of green hrm and green work engagement
topic Green human resource management
Sustainable performance
Green work engagement
SMEs
Saudi Arabia
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-01167-z
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AT shakermalkahtani fosteringsustainabledevelopmenttheroleofgreenhrmandgreenworkengagement
AT abdulwaseaabdulghanisaifalmekhlafi fosteringsustainabledevelopmenttheroleofgreenhrmandgreenworkengagement
AT adeebalhebri fosteringsustainabledevelopmenttheroleofgreenhrmandgreenworkengagement
AT afafahmed fosteringsustainabledevelopmenttheroleofgreenhrmandgreenworkengagement