Barierrs to implementing the concept of green human resource management. The case of Poland

Purpose: The Green Human Resource Management concept is relatively new to Polish managers. There is a research gap with respect to investigating the reasons behind limited practical implementation of GHRM. The objective of the study is the identification of major barriers to the implementation of the GHRM concept in Polish companies. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study was conducted in 2018 on a random sample of 300 Polish enterprises. The respondents were managers responsible for HR policy development. The method used in the study was CATI. In the first stage of the analysis, an assessment of the level of implementation of the GHRM concept in 7 functional areas was carried out with the use of a 5-point Likert scale. The second stage involved identification of the main barriers impeding the implementation of green HR practices. Findings: Green Human Resource Management viewed as the latest research tendency plays a crucial role in the strategies of corporate sustainable development. However, studies demonstrate that the level of GHRM implementation in Polish companies is low. In the course of the analysis, it appeared that the primary barriers limiting GHRM implementation are: limited financial means, lack of incentives to engage in environmentally friendly activities, low competencies of the management with respect to sustainable HRM, no or low effectiveness of GHRM tools and a culture based on economic values. Practical Implications: If the major barriers to GHRM implementation are identified and Polish managers become aware of them, barrier removal may prove easier and, consequently, the scope of implementation of green practices within the HR function may be broadened. Originality/Value: This article is a pioneer attempt to identify the barriers to Green HRM implementation in Poland. The research enriches the still limited set of literature concerning environmental practice performance in the area of HR. The author believes that the results of the presented research may stimulate interest in GHRM concept’s implementation in Polish companies as a tool of corporate sustainable development.