The Human Resources Contribution to Social Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability: Explorations from Ibero-America

Abstract

In this paper, we explore the perceptions of human resource (HR) managers on their contribution to social responsibility and environmental sustainability in three Ibero-American countries (Spain, the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica). We rely on a qualitative approach and in-depth interviews at 28 firms in the travel and tourism industry (in the hospitality sector, of particular relevance for these countries and one that has significant sustainability challenges). We examine HR managers' underlying notions about social and environmental issues, stakeholder collaboration, HR practices, roles and internal organization. We outline implications, identify areas of progress and suggest several avenues for HR to advance sustainability-driven agendas.