Human resource management: an effective mechanism for long term sustainability

Abstract

“Attraction, Motivation and Retention” define the essence of human resource deliverables. As the economy booms and industry matures, the age old personnel management fundamentals do not remain applicable. The advent of globalization has resulted in rapid industrial growth which has leaded an expansion in the levels of production and consumption which has intensified the problem of environmental degradation. However, this growth has often come at the cost of the natural environment. Human resource management is an area which witnesses a constant evolution and change. The rationale behind relating the concept of human resource management with environmental issues is that, it leads to sustainability and has become a new paradigm in this field. Managing environment through human resources has become a popular activity for firms in various industries. Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations to meet their own needs. It includes three kinds of sustainability i.e. (a) environmental sustainability, which is the ability of the environment to support a defined level of environmental quality, (b) economic sustainability, which is the ability of an economy to support a defined level of economic production and, (c) social sustainability, which is the ability of a social system, such as a country, to function at a defined level of social well being and harmony. Social sustainability depends on economic sustainability and economic sustainability depends upon social sustainability. Social and economic sustainability depend on environmental sustainability. Therefore, environmental sustainability must be on the top priority. Sustainable human resource management helps in achieving organizational sustainability through the development of human resource policies, strategies and practices that support the economic, social and environmental perspective. This research work examines the role played by the human resources in contributing towards environment management by acting as a link between environmental sustainability and corporate strategies. Some corporate cases and models for environmental management have also been discussed.