Impact of Green Human Resource Management on Environmental Performance: A MediatedAnalysis of Environmental Awareness in HEIs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

Green management is now a global phenomenon. All organizations, including Higher Education
Institutions (HEIs) are called upon to promote green behavior. Green Human Resource
Management (GHRM) is a strategic approach to integrating sustainability into organizational
systems. But, as with empirical evidence from higher education institutions (HEIs) in developing
economies. This research explores the impact of Green Human Resource Management practices
(GHRM) on the environmental performance of public-sector higher education institutions (HEIs)
in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, with special focus on the mediating role of environmental
awareness. We surveyed 240 faculty members from six universities using standardized instruments
measuring GHRM, Environmental Awareness, and Environmental Performance using a stratified
random sample. We conducted measurement and structural model assessments using SmartPLS 4.
The results showed that all constructs were reliably and validly measured. The GHRM has
significantly improved environmental awareness by β = 0.516 (p < 0.001) and environmental
performance by the β = 0.444 (p < 0.001). Environmental awareness also has a significant positive
influence on environmental performance (β = 0.442, p < 0.001). The relationship of GHRM and
environmental performance has significant partial mediation effect of environmental awareness
according to mediation analysis (β = 0.228, p < 0.001). The model showed a significant effect size
of 26.6% on environmental awareness and 59.5% on environmental performance. The model was
also found to be robust and predictive after considering effect sizes (f²) and predictive relevance
(Q²).
In general, the study provides compelling evidence confirming that GHRM significantly drives
environmental performance in HEIs, either directly or indirectly through enhanced environmental
awareness. Understanding how colleges use sustainability can help policymakers and university
leaders develop sustainability strategies driven by human resources.