Sustainability and Employee Development
Chapter from the book: Akay, E. & Palabıyık, N. (eds.) 2024. Sustainable Management.

Seçil Ulufer Kansoy
Kırklareli University

Synopsis

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between sustainability and personnel development. While sustainability focuses on maintaining a balance among environmental, economic, and social factors for long-term success, personnel development is about enhancing individuals' capabilities, benefiting both themselves and their organizations. In the modern business world, driven by challenges such as global warming, resource depletion, and social inequalities, it is increasingly evident that short-term economic gains alone are insufficient. The study emphasizes the strategic importance of sustainable human resource management (HRM). Sustainable HRM prioritizes employee health, work-life balance, professional growth, and environmental awareness, while adhering to ethical and social responsibility principles. Businesses are encouraged to adopt a long-term approach that not only enhances current employee performance but also prepares for future needs. The study details how sustainability can be implemented within HR practices. Examples include regular training programs, environmentally friendly workplace policies, employee involvement in decision-making, and fair wage systems. Furthermore, integrating environmentally conscious candidates into recruitment processes, fostering a culture of sustainability, and implementing initiatives like work-life balance programs are highlighted as crucial aspects of sustainable HRM. The study's most striking contribution is its argument that incorporating sustainability into HR management can provide organizations with a long-term competitive advantage. Employees are not merely resources but should be regarded as core values. This perspective, as the study highlights, can enhance organizations' economic, social, and environmental performance. By investing in their workforce's development, businesses can build a more robust structure, effectively contributing to addressing societal and environmental challenges. This dual focus on personnel development and sustainability offers a roadmap for organizations to achieve holistic success in an increasingly complex global landscape.

How to cite this book

Ulufer Kansoy, S. (2024). Sustainability and Employee Development. In: Akay, E. & Palabıyık, N. (eds.), Sustainable Management. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub541.c2258

License

Published

December 19, 2024

DOI