The Influence of Sustainable Human Resource Management Practices on Logistics Agility: The Mediating Role of Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Adopting innovative, systematically structured, and sustainable human resource management (SHRM) practices is essential for enhancing logistics agility and deriving sustainable development in logistics operations. This study examines the influence of sustainable human resources management practices on logistics agility with a mediating role of artificial intelligence (AI) in China’s logistics industry. Given the rapid growth and technological advancements in China’s logistics sector, this study employed quantitative research and convenience sampling techniques to collect data from 341 employees working in the industry. Smart PLS was used to test the proposed hypotheses through structural equation modeling (SEM). The study’s findings reveal that reward management, training and development, job appraisal, and teamwork significantly enhance logistics agility, while recruitment and selection show an insignificant impact. Similarly, the results reveal that sustainable HRM practices and artificial intelligence positively and significantly influence logistics agility. In addition, artificial intelligence substantially mediates the relationship between sustainable HRM practices and logistics agility. These findings offer valuable insights for HRM and logistics management, highlighting how AI can strengthen sustainable HRM practices to foster agility and improve logistics performance. The findings are particularly relevant for practitioners and policymakers aiming to enhance sustainability and efficiency in the logistics sector.