Do banking practices adopt green initiatives? A qualitative approach

Purpose This study investigates the status and challenges associated with green banking practices and proposes a strategic agenda for adopting sustainable approaches. Design/methodology/approach An in-depth literature review was conducted using the Scopus database to identify factors related to green practices among banking employees. Subsequently, 12 semi-structured interviews of bank managers were analysed using NVivo 15 software. Findings Thematic content analysis highlighted three dimensions of green banking practices consisting of factors resembling patterns related to green daily operation, green policy practices and green products & services. Further, the lack of management support and staff shortages were highlighted as core challenges that hinder the implementation of green banking practices. Research limitations/implications The research contributes to the sustainable development goal principles in shaping the future of banks and conceptualizing green banking practices as an organizational factor and not as a compliance mechanism. It provides an in-depth understanding of green banking practices for policymakers and researchers regarding future research directions. Practical implications The implications emphasize that the strategic enforcement of green policies by the government and management is essential for the implementation of sustainability initiatives by the financial institutions. Originality/value This research is the first to integrate both a comprehensive review and a thematic analysis of green banking practices from the employee perspective. It offers an employee-centric framework on sustainability, enduring operations in the banks and highlights the challenges towards its implementation.