Socially responsible HRM, psychological safety and host country employee helping behaviors towards war refugees

The ongoing increase in the global population of war refugees underscores the importance of prioritizing socially responsible actions toward this group. This study aims to examine how socially responsible human resource management (SRHRM) contributes to employees’ helping behaviors towards refugees (EHR). Psychological safety (PS) has been explored as an underlying mechanism between SRHRM and EHR. To explain the relationships between variables, this study uses two theoretical perspectives, ability-motivation-opportunity theory and social exchange theory. The empirical research was conducted in Poland, which has seen the biggest influx of Ukrainian refugees of any country since the war started in 2022. This research shows that SRHRM both directly and indirectly impacts EHR. The study enriches previous studies on SRHRM outcomes, as well as providing practical implications. It also encourages future researchers to verify this research model in other countries which are faced with forced immigration.