Requirements for the Implementation of GHRM Practices in Public Sector Organizations

Abstract

Implementing the green concept in HRM functions may pose a major challenge in the public sector organizations in Sri Lanka since employees are having a lack awareness about Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) concept. In this background, the study was carried out to examine the employee perception on the requirement of implementing GHRM practices, to identify the employee green skills and behaviors and to analyze limitations of implementing GHRM practices in public sector organizations. The study was carried out in Divisional Secretariat offices in Gampaha district and the target population was HR practitioners. A sample of 82 HR practitioners was randomly selected from conveniently selected 8 Divisional Secretariat offices. Primary data was collected through a field survey. Data was analyzed through the Wilcoxon sign rank test and Pearson Correlation test. The analysis showed that employee’s perception level on the requirement of green training and development (T&D) practices and green employee relations (ER) within their organizations were high. Employee’s age (r= -0.008, p<0.05), education level (r= +0.032, p=0.05) and working experience (r= +0.000) were significantly related to the employee perception of green T&D and employee’s age (P= +0.003) and working experience (P= +0.003) were significantly related to the employee perception on green ERs. Further, public sector employees were having a high level of green skills but their green behavior was low. The education level (P= +0.056) of the employee were significantly affected by their level of green skills and green behaviors. Lack of understanding of the “Greening” concept was identified as the major limitation for implementing GHRM practices. The outcomes of this study suggested that it is important to enhance the awareness of the green concept and change the attitudes of public sector employees through proper training and implement green policies on HRM practices within an organizational constitution.