Towards a greener tomorrow: investigating the nexus of GHRM, technology innovation, and employee green behavior in driving sustainable performance

Abstract

In response to the global imperative to address climate change, organizations are increasingly pressured to reduce industrial waste, curb carbon emissions, and adopt environmentally responsible practices. This study aims to investigate the interplay between Green Human Resource Management (GHRM), technological innovation, and sustainable performance, with a focus on the moderating role of employee green behavior, within the manufacturing leather industry of Pakistan. According to the Resource‑Based View (RBV) theory, a firm’s competitive advantage arises from its unique bundle of internal resources and capabilities, rather than solely from external factors such as market positioning or industry conditions. The study population comprises top and middle management personnel from various roles within leather manufacturing firms, selected through cluster random sampling. A total of 525 questionnaires were distributed, of which 347 were deemed suitable for analysis. Utilizing SPSS version 25 and AMOS version 25 for hypothesis testing, the findings reveal a positive and significant relationship between GHRM, technological innovation, and sustainable performance. Employee green behavior moderates the relationship between GHRM, technological innovation, and sustainable performance, emphasizing individual actions’ role in sustainability. This study offers insights into this nexus, highlighting direct and indirect effects, and provides practical guidance for policymakers and managers to enhance sustainable performance through environmental priorities and targeted interventions.