Promoting green performance through green
human resource practices and green servant
leadership
Adil Mansoor Putra Business School, Malaysia; Ilma University, Karachi, Pakistan,
adilmansoor5@gmail.com
Muhammad Farrukh Ilma University, Karachi, Pakistan; Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, China,
mfarrukhiqbal@hotmail.com
Sarwat Jahan Lincoln University College, Malaysia
Jong-Keon Lee Chung-Ang University, South Korea
Sazali Abd Wahab Putra Business School, Malaysia
Previous studies have analysed the effect of human resource (HR) practices on organisational green
performance. However, this study provides a more robust analysis by highlighting the synergetic
impact of green HR practices and green organisational strategies (green management initiatives) on
firms’ environmental performance. Moreover, this research also identifies the role of green servant
leadership (SL) in implementing green management initiatives, which has been overlooked previ-
ously. Using a sample of 272 employees working in Pakistani manufacturing firms and applying
structural equation modelling technique, this research reveals that the combined impact of green
HR practices and green strategies promotes green performance through green SL as a mediator.
Therefore, the current study emphasises the need to have an integrative mechanism to enhance
green performance. Besides, the intervening role of green SL suggests that managers must exhibit
this style for the accomplishment of an organisational green agenda.
Keywords: environmental performance, green HR practices, green performance, green servant
leadership, green strategy
Key points
1 Green human resource practices and green strategies of the firm positively influence
green performance.
2 This research has also found the mediating effect of green servant leadership in the
relationship of green management initiatives and green performance.
3 HR practices such as recruiting, training, developing and rewarding must be linked
with the green agenda.
Correspondence: Mr. Muhammad Farrukh, Department of Economics, Shenzhen MSU-BIT
University, Guangdong Province, China; e-mail: mfarrukhiqbal@hotmail.com
Accepted for publication 14 September 2021.
Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources (2021) , doi:10.1111/1744-7941.12313
© 2021 Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI).