Organisations that embrace green human resource management (HRM) practices encourage environmentally focused creativity among employees, driving innovation and competitiveness.
Professor Zhibin Lin, alongside Xiaoqin Liu and Yanling Sun (Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, China), explored the relationship between sustainable HRM activities and employee-led green innovations. With rising pressure from governments, customers and industry bodies to act sustainably, embedding a green culture within company operations is increasingly vital.
Professor Lin states, “Embedding sustainability in the culture of an organisation has emerged as a critical factor for organisational success due to the impact it has on employees. Through staff initiative, companies may benefit from more efficient product designs, better methods to reduce waste or the creation of entirely new green products and practices. Employee green creativity is therefore a key driver of firm performance and competitive advantage.”
To support employee green creativity, organisations are incorporating sustainability into core HR activities, including recruitment, training, incentive and performance management. However, the researchers point out a gap in how employees psychologically link green HRM with creative behaviours.
To address this, they analysed responses from a survey answered by 319 employees across the financial, internet and IT sectors in developed coastal regions of China. The study focused on organisations where sustainability was a stated priority, asking respondents about their green behaviours, leadership experiences, and work engagement.
The findings revealed a clear connection: when green HR practices were tied to employee development and company values, employees were more likely to engage in green innovation. However, the most significant driver of this creativity was leadership style.
Employees who experienced high levels of creative leadership were far more likely to translate green HR initiatives into innovative actions. Leaders who inspire and engage staff, particularly around sustainable goals, were shown to strengthen the link between HR practices and green creativity.
Ensuring that core company aims and values are embedded within every part of an employee’s experience with a company will encourage them to undertake their responsibilities with those values at heart. And in encouraging idea generation, inspiring and engaging staff through creative leadership will encourage others to follow suit.
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