Impact of green human resource practices on hotel environmental performance: the moderating effect of environmental knowledge and individual green values

Purpose Green management initiatives are an influential factor for forward-thinking corporations across the globe. Human resource (HR) practitioners find incorporating sustainable development into HR practices a significant challenge, but green initiatives enhance environmental quality. This study aims to analyze the impact of green human resources management (GHRM) practices on hotel environmental performance (HEP) by incorporating environmental knowledge (EK) and individual green values (IGV) as a moderator. Design/methodology/approach The software Smart PLS has been used for data analysis, and partial least square-structural equation modeling has been used to assess measurement and structural models. Data was gathered from 329 white-collar employees of Pakistan’s guest service hotels. Findings The results reveal that GHRM practices positively correlate with employees’ affective commitment (EAC) and eco-friendly behavior. Also, employees’ eco-friendly behavior increases HEP, but EAC shows an insignificant association. Moreover, EK does not strengthen the relationship between GHRM practices and EAC and eco-friendly behavior. However, IGV strengthen the relationship between affective commitment and HEP. Practical implications The research suggests that management should embrace GHRM practices for better environmental performance. Hotels should ensure that all GHRM attributes, such as green recruitment, training and compensation, are rightly executed. They can help acquire and retain committed and eco-friendly employees whose environmental values and objectives are compatible with the organization. Originality/value It will provide insight into the role of the GHRM in fostering EAC and eco-friendly behavior that, in turn, influence environmental performance. Also, the theory of social identity has been incorporated to inspect employees’ behavior along with the moderating role of EK and IGV. It is crucial to understand two essential aspects in a developing country like Pakistan so that the hospitality sector can implement them efficiently in the future: how hotels protect the environment through their green practices and whether employees of a developing country depict eco-friendly behavior and affective commitment on the basis of GHRM.