Chapter 11: Sustainable HRM: Rhetoric Versus Reality

Sustainability is emerging as a major theme of life, work and employment in the twenty-first century. As our knowledge about how humans impact on the world increases, so too has our concern about the need to take action. Often, such action brings images of environmental concerns to mind; however, the concept of sustainability refers not only to the environment, but to all aspects of life, including economic development, human development and social development. At a macro level, forward-thinking governments are integrating sustainability principles into their policies and supporting worldwide sustainability initiatives, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the organisational level, there are numerous examples of organisational decisions being informed by sustainability principles. For some organisations, such as IKEA, Siemens and LEGO, sustainability informs all aspects of the organisation’s strategy, policy and actions. Some organisations exist to achieve sustainable outcomes, such as non-profits that provide social support and opportunities for future development. Other organisations enact individual sustainable actions, driven by varied motivation such as genuine sustainable principles, economic gain, positive social reputation, or even a combination of motivations.