Synergising HR Practices and Social Performance for Adoption of Digital Circular Economy: A Case of Developing Country Perspective

Singh, Rubee and Joshi, Amit and Singh, Akshay and Raghuveer, Katragadda and Kumar, Vikas (2025) Synergising HR Practices and Social Performance for Adoption of Digital Circular Economy: A Case of Developing Country Perspective. Strategy & Leadership. ISSN 1087-8572 (In Press)

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Abstract

Purpose: The study explores two underexamined areas in Digital Circular Economy (DCE) literature: the synergy between human resource (HR) practices and social performance and their impact on fostering DCE adoption in developing countries. This novel approach integrates HR practices, organizational readiness, and social performance dimensions to address barriers in DCE implementation within resource-constrained manufacturing sectors.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) with a cross-sectional approach, data from 343 HR managers and senior professionals in developing economies, the study investigates how HR practices and social performance collectively influence organizational readiness and DCE adoption.
Findings: The study identifies training, performance-based incentives, and CSR as critical drivers of organizational readiness, enhancing trust and collaboration for DCE adoption. Organizational readiness, including leadership commitment and digital skills, mediates the relationship between HR practices, social performance, and DCE adoption, offering a novel framework for sustainable transformation in resource-constrained contexts.
Research Limitations/Implications: The study is confined to manufacturing firms in developing economies and hence doesn't have any generality to other sectors or in other regions. Insights from future research on the qualitative aspects of and longitudinal impacts of HR practices on DCE adoption across diverse industries and cultures are required.
Originality/Value: This study uniquely integrates HR practices, social performance, and organizational readiness, addressing significant research gaps by focusing on the manufacturing sector in developing countries. The findings provide actionable insights for aligning workforce strategies with sustainability goals and fostering innovation in DCE adoption.

Item Type:	Article
Dates:	Date Event 28 February 2025 Accepted
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Human resource practices, social performance, digital circular economy, organisational readiness
Subjects:	CAH17 - business and management > CAH17-01 - business and management > CAH17-01-02 - business studies
Divisions:	Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > College of Business, Digital Transformation & Entrepreneurship
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	11 Mar 2025 16:42
Last Modified:	11 Mar 2025 16:42
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16232