Green human resource management and environmental performance: The role of green innovation and environmental strategy in a developing country

TLDR

Green human resource management is widely recognized to improve environmental performance. The study examines how green innovation, environmental strategy, and pro‑environmental behaviour strengthen the link between green HRM and environmental performance in developing‑country manufacturing. Data from 410 Pakistani manufacturing managers were analyzed with PLS‑SEM to test mediation by green innovation and pro‑environmental behaviour and moderation by environmental strategy. Results show that green innovation, environmental strategy, and pro‑environmental behaviour jointly enhance environmental performance via operational efficiency and employee willingness, offering theoretical and practical insights applicable across similar developing countries.

Abstract

Abstract A vast literature supports the notion that green human resource management leads to superior environmental performance. This study argues that green innovation, environmental strategy and pro‐environmental behaviour facilitate the relationship between green human resource management and environmental performance in the manufacturing industry of developing countries. To test the mediating effect of green innovation and pro‐environmental behaviour alongside the moderating role of environmental strategy in the proposed model, we collected and analysed data from 410 manufacturing firm managers operating in Pakistan using partial least square structural equation modelling. The mediating and moderating results highlighted the significance of green innovation, environmental strategy and pro‐environmental behaviour to excel in environmental performance through operational efficiency, appropriate environmental strategy and human willingness to indulge in environmental activities. The findings also suggest implications for theory and practice in similar developing countries. The study offers generalisability in developing countries sharing the same economic and social structure.