Integrating Green Human Resource Management in Promoting Sustainable Practices in the Hospitality Industry

Ing. Harikumar Asharitharayil Sunilkumar

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

This thesis explores the role of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) in promoting sustainability within the hospitality industry. The primary objective is to investigate how GHRM practices such as green recruitment, training, employee engagement, and performance management affect employee behaviour, improve environmental performance, and contribute to the achievement of sustainability targets in hospitality organizations. The research focuses on understanding how these HR strategies align with broader ecological goals to build long-term competitive advantage and operational resilience. Both primary and secondary data were collected as part of a mixed-methods qualitative research approach. Sustainability and ESG reports from major international hotel chains (Accor Group, Hilton Worldwide, and Marriott International) as well as publications from McKinsey & Company, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) were examined using secondary data analysis and content analysis. Additionally, a structured questionnaire survey was used to gather primary data from workers in various hospitality-related sectors. The purpose of the survey was to find out how employees felt about GHRM practices in their companies. Both data sources were subjected to a thematic coding framework in order to find recurrent GHRM tactics and evaluate how well they matched organizational and environmental performance objectives. The findings indicate that GHRM plays a crucial role in embedding sustainability into the core operations of hospitality firms. It influences employee attitudes, fosters pro-environmental behaviour, and supports compliance with environmental regulations. Integrated GHRM systems where green hiring, training, performance appraisal, and reward mechanisms are aligned yield the most consistent and strategic sustainability outcomes. Additionally, GHRM practices were found to reinforce corporate identity, improve employee engagement, and strengthen brand reputation. However, the research is limited by its reliance on secondary data, which may not fully reflect the internal dynamics or informal practices of the organizations studied. Future research could expand this work by incorporating primary data through interviews, surveys, or case studies across a wider range of hospitality firms, including smaller or regional players, to gain a deeper understanding of the human factors influencing sustainability success.

Keywords

Green Human Resource Management (GHRM), Sustainable Hospitality, Environmental Performance, Employee Environmental Behaviour, Green Recruitment, Green Training and Development, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Hospitality Industry

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 11. 12. 2025

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Obhajoba proběhla 3. 2. 2026
• Vedoucí: Ing. Tsolmon Jambal, Ph.D.
• Oponent: Ing. Milan Talíř, MBA

Vysoká škola technická a ekonomická v Českých Budějovicích

Magisterský studijní program / obor:
Business Administration / Business Administration