Green human resource management in Vietnam’s public agricultural sector
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59394/JSM.143Keywords:
Green human resource management, public sector, state management, sustainable agriculture, green growth, VietnamAbstract
In the context of implementing international commitments to achieve net-zero emissions and promote green growth, green human resource management in the public sector has attracted increasing attention as a key enabler of sustainable development transitions. This article examines the shift from traditional human resource management models toward green human resource management, emphasizing the importance of ecological competencies and mindsets among cadres, civil servants, and public employees in Vietnam’s agricultural sector. Drawing on the experiences of the Netherlands, Japan, and Israel, the study identifies several limitations in the current frameworks governing recruitment standards, training programs, and performance evaluation systems. Based on the institutional reform agenda for the 2026 - 2032 period, the article proposes several policy implications to progressively integrate green management principles into the state management system. These recommendations are expected to enhance the effectiveness of public duty enforcement and contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam’s agricultural sector.
References
Arulrajah, A. A., Opatha, H. H. D. P., & Nawaratne, N. N. J. (2015). Green Human Resource Management Practices: A Review. Sri Lankan Journal of Human Resource Management, 5(1), 1-16.
Bakos, E. et al. (2025). An international framework for human resource management indicators in public administration. OECD Working Paper.
Cuong, T. Q. (2024). Green Human Resource Management and Employees’ Pro-Environmental Behavior: The Roles of Green Organizational Identity, Green Knowledge Sharing, Green Vision Sharing, and Green Values (Doctoral dissertation). Ho Chi Minh City Open University, Vietnam.
Dumont, J., Shen, J., & Deng, X. (2017). Effects of green HRM practices on employee workplace outcomes: The role of self-identity and psychological empowerment. Journal of Business Ethics, 141(3), 513-527.
EU-ASEAN Business Council & CropLife Asia. (2024). Report on the sustainability of ASEAN food systems. Vietnamese edition published June 2024.
Giang, N. T. H. (2025). Human Resource Development for the Green Economy: Challenges and Solutions. Retrieved from https://tapchicongthuong.vn/phat-trien-nguon-nhan-luc-phuc-vu-kinh-te-xanh--thach-thuc-va-giai-phap-143247.htm
Israel Innovation Authority. (2019). Innovation in Israel 2018-19 Overview. Israel: Israel Innovation Authority.
Jabbour, C. J. C. (2011). How green are HRM practices, organizational culture, learning and environmental management? A Brazilian study. Industrial Management & Data Systems, 111(4), 473-495.
Jackson, S. E., Renwick, D. W., Jabbour, C. J., & Muller-Camen, M. (2011). State-of-the-art and future directions for green human resource management: Introduction to the special issue. German Journal of Research in Human Resource Management, 25(2), 99-116.)
Ministerie van Landbouw, Natuur en Voedselkwaliteit [LNV]. (2018). Agriculture, Nature and Food: Valuable and Connected - The Netherlands as a leader in circular agriculture. The Hague: Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.
Nga, H. T. T., & Hau, L. N. (2021). The impact of green human resource management on employees’ green motivation and green behavior: Evidence from hotels in Da Nang. Hue University Journal of Science: Economics and Development, 130(5C), 153-170.
OECD. (2019). Making Innovation Benefit Agriculture. Paris: OECD Publishing.
OECD. (2023). Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2023: Adapting Agriculture to Climate Change. Paris: OECD Publishing.
Pham, N. T., Tučková, Z., & Phan, Q. P. T. (2019). The role of self-efficacy and psychological empowerment in the relationship between green human resource management and employee's green behavior. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
Prime Minister. (2021). Decision No. 1658/QD-TTg approving the National Green Growth Strategy for the 2021 - 2030 Period, with a Vision to 2050.
Prime Minister. (2022). Decision No. 150/QD-TTg approving the Strategy for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development for the 2021 - 2030 Period, with a Vision to 2050.
Prime Minister. (2025). Decision No. 21/2025/QD-TTg on Environmental Criteria and Certification of Investment Projects Included in the Green Classification List.
Quyen, N. T. T. (2024). Green Human Resource Management in Hotels in Hanoi (Doctoral dissertation). Thuongmai University, Vietnam.
Renwick, D. W. S., Redman, T., & Maguire, S. (2013). Green Human Resource Management: A Review and Research Agenda. International Journal of Management Reviews, 15(1), 1-14.
Ren, S., Tang, G., & Jackson, S. E. (2020). Effects of green HRM and CEO ethical leadership on organizations environmental performance. International Journal of Manpower, 42(6), 961-983.
Setyanti, S. W. L. H., et al. (2024). Fostering Sustainable Agricultural Performance: The Mediating Role of Green Innovation in the Relationship between Green HRM Practices and Sustainability under the Pentahelix Model. Journal of System and Management Sciences.
Tang, G., Chen, Y., van Knippenberg, D., & Yu, J. (2018). Green human resource management practices: scale development and validity. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 35(3), 769-803.
Vuong, B. N., Hieu, V. T., & Vi, N. N. T. (2025). The impact of green human resource management practices on employees’ green behavior: Empirical evidence from Vietnam’s aviation industry. Retrieved from https://tapchicongthuong.vn/tac-dong-cua-thuc-tien-quan-tri-nguon-nhan-luc-xanh-den-hanh-vi-xanh-cua-nhan-vien--bang-chung-thuc-nghiem-tu-nganh-hang-khong-viet-nam-138954.htm
Wehrmeyer, W. (Ed.). (1996). Greening People: Human Resources and Environmental Management. Sheffield, UK: Greenleaf Publishing, p. 7.
World Bank. (2020). Vietnam Development Report 2020: Transforming Vietnam’s Agriculture. Washington, DC: World Bank.
