Check-in to sustainability: a comparative study of green human resource management practices in emerging and established hotels

Purpose This study draws on the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV) to investigate the drivers, implementation and challenges of Green Human Resource Management (Green HRM) practices in Ghana's star-rated hotels. It also examines how these initiatives contribute to achieving relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach A qualitative research approach was adopted, involving in-depth interviews with twelve managerial employees purposively sampled from both emerging (1–2 star) and established (3–5 star) hotels in Ghana. Data were thematically analysed to uncover key patterns. Findings The findings reveal that Green HRM adoption across star-rated hotels in Ghana is driven by a mix of external pressures like regulatory compliance and customer expectations; internal motivations, including cost efficiency and leadership commitment; and global imperatives such as certification requirements. Established hotels implement comprehensive, technology-driven strategies, including digital recruitment, structured sustainability training and integrated performance management systems, which contribute directly to achieving SDGs like Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) and Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12). In contrast, emerging hotels rely on informal, ad-hoc initiatives and external partnerships to manage their HR practices. However, challenges such as employee resistance and communication delays impede the consistent implementation of Green HRM practices across both hotel categories. Originality/value This pioneering study empirically explores the antecedents and alignment of Green HRM practices to relevant SDGs in the hospitality industry within a developing economy, thereby providing an exclusively dual perspective on emerging versus established hotels and extending the application of the NRBV framework in a service-oriented industry.