Green HRM Practices at a Historically Disadvantaged Higher Education Institution in South Africa: Implementation and Challenges

Abstract

Historically disadvantaged higher education institutions (HDHEIs) struggle to respond to the ecological demands of influencing green behaviours at the workplace. HR departments are required to take a leading role through the adoption of green HRM (GHRM) practices. This study explored HR professionals’ experiences with the implementation of GHRM practices and the related challenges at a South African HDHEI. A qualitative approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 HR professionals. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse data. The findings revealed five themes linked to the GHRM practices: online advertisement and invitation of application, green recruitment and selection, green training and development, green performance management and green compensation and reward, with financial constraints, lack of awareness, complexity and lack of green capital as related challenges. The study concluded that an institutional green vision, mission statements and values should be developed and aligned with GHRM to promote environmental sustainability at HDHEIs.