2025, Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part D

This paper investigates the implementation of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) within the Greek wood and furniture industry, a sector distinguished by its high environmental sensitivity and dependence on natural resources. The literature review underscores the significance of practices such as green recruitment, training, performance evaluation and reward systems in fostering an organizational culture aligned with sustainability. Empirical evidence was derived from a questionnaire survey administered to 149 employees and executives of small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the sector.

The findings indicate that although firms have adopted fundamental practices, including energy conservation and waste management, the integration of more specialized initiatives such as the use of environmentally friendly chemicals and ecological suppliers remains limited. Statistical analysis further revealed that variables such as age, educational attainment, professional experience and hierarchical position significantly influence attitudes toward GHRM. In particular, younger, more highly educated and higher-ranking respondents demonstrated stronger acceptance of such practices. Importantly, environmental education emerged as a critical driver, directly associated with performance evaluation and incentive mechanisms. Overall, the sector appears to be in a transitional stage of partial adoption of GHRM practices. Institutionalizing education, evaluation and reward structures is likely to reinforce environmental culture, thereby enhancing both the sustainability and competitiveness of the industry.