From Green Policies to Green Practices: The Role of Top Management Support in Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

Sustainability has become a key priority worldwide, and Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) are no exception. Sustainable practices in HEIs are increasingly embedded through governance structures, human resource policies and leadership support. In this context, this study examines the impact of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices on university staff's green behaviour towards sustainability. It further investigates the mediating role of Top Management Support (TMS) in strengthening this relationship. Data were collected from university staff in India across different disciplines and analyzed using SmartPLS to assess both direct and mediated effects. The results indicate that GHRM practices have a significant positive influence on employees’ green behavior. Additionally, TMS partially mediates this relationship by fostering an enabling environment that reinforces sustainable practices. This study contributes to the growing literature on GHRM in the education sector and provides actionable insights for policymakers and institutional leaders to effectively align human resource practices with sustainability objectives and drive meaningful behavioral change.