Green Human Resource Management Practices in Licensed Commercial Banks: Evidence from Sri Lanka

Abstract

The increasing urgency of climate change and global sustainability goals has prompted organizations to integrate environmentally responsible practices across all functions, including human resource management. Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) has emerged as a strategic approach to embedding ecological sustainability into HR functions such as recruitment, training, performance appraisal, and compensation. This study examines GHRM practices across eight leading licensed commercial banks in Sri Lanka Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank, Commercial Bank of Ceylon, Sampath Bank, Hatton National Bank, Seylan Bank, DFCC Bank, and National Development Bank using a qualitative research methodology. A semi structured survey was distributed to senior HR managers, gathering data on the adoption of various GHRM practices, their perceived impact on sustainability outcomes (e.g., reduced paper usage, energy conservation, and cost efficiency), and organizational performance. The results reveal notable disparities between private and public sector banks in terms of GHRM adoption, with private banks exhibiting more advanced practices and better sustainability outcomes. The study contributes to the global GHRM discourse by providing empirical insights from the banking sector in Sri Lanka, offering practical implications for HR leaders and policymakers aiming to integrate sustainability into organizational strategy.