Sustainable HRM practices and the triple bottom line: A multi-level perspective

Description of impact *

The project has been conducted by Dr Ying Lu, Dr Miles Yang, and A/Prof Yue Wang from Macquarie University and A/Prof Mingqiong Zhang from Monash University, with an aim to explore whether and how sustainable human resource management (SHRM) contributes to corporate sustainability. SHMR systems can operate both as a potential means to develop corporate sustainability mind-sets and strategies, and as an end to facilitate corporate sustainability within the organisation and to promote the physical, social, and economic wellbeing of employees, which further help businesses achieve the triple bottom line. Multiple rounds of survey were administered (Dec 2020 - May 2021) with assistance from the Chief Administrator Officers of Jinan Municipal Ecology and Environmental Bureau (Shanghe Branch). 150 firms were encouraged to adopt SHRM practices, among which 80 firms participated in the project.

We find that adopting a SHRM approach enhances a firm’s economic, social, and environmental performance through improving employee outcomes such as increased motivation, enhanced engagement, and improved involvement in organisational sustainability programs. Both participating firms and their employees have benefited from our findings. Additionally, the research helps policy makers identify ways to motivate firms towards the sustainable development goals prescribed by the State Council of China. As a result of increased environmental performance (reduced pollution), Shanghe has been evaluated as a model county in China for developing ecological civilisation by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment. Findings can be extended to Australia for an ARC-DP application.

Impact date	1 Oct 2020 → 31 Dec 2022
Category of impact	Organisation impacts, Society impacts, Environment impacts, Policy impacts
Impact level	Benefit (mid)