Green Human Resource Management Practices in light of the Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 Initiatives: Theoretical Study

Abstract

Due to contemporary developments and the increasing global focus on raising environmental awareness, there is a pressing need to develop Human Resource Management (HRM) practices that integrate environmental initiatives and goals, thereby contributing to sustainable development. Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) represents an environmental administrative philosophy or approach that aims to incorporate environmental goals into all HRM practices, making them environmentally friendly, or “green.” This study seeks to illuminate the concept of GHRM and its significant practices—green recruitment, green performance management and evaluation, green training and development, and green compensation—in the context of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 initiatives. As the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 aspires to transition towards a more sustainable future, it becomes imperative for organizations to adopt such practices to aid in environmental protection and promote sustainable development.
To achieve the paper’s objective, a descriptive approach was utilized, examining relevant theoretical literature. The study discovered that the concept of green HRM practices is relatively new in management sciences but has garnered increasing global attention due to rapid industrial expansion and significant pollution, which pose serious threats to the environment. Consequently, the study presents a set of recommendations, the most crucial being to elevate the level of environmental awareness among administrative leaders and HR specialists. This includes integrating the vision and values of organizations in favor of a green environment, promoting environmentally friendly behaviors within the organization, instilling green values among employees, and encouraging them to initiate actions that reduce negative impacts on the environment.