Green Skills and Sustainable Human Resources in the E-Waste Sector

This PhD project investigates the integration of green skills and sustainable human resource practices in the e-waste sector. By examining the interplay between technological advancements, environmental priorities, and workforce development, this research aims to develop a comprehensive framework for enhancing sustainability in e-waste management.

The purpose of this project is to explore the role of green skills in the e-waste sector, focusing on how tech-driven upskilling can balance environmental sustainability with human and organizational development needs.

The specific objectives could include the following:

1. To conceptualize green skills within the context of e-waste business and management.

2. To investigate the mechanisms through which green skills and tech-driven upskilling influence sustainability in the e-waste sector.

3. To compare best practices in e-waste management from leading countries and their applicability to other regions.

4. To explore the potential of university-industry partnerships in developing effective green skills and training programs..

This project will significantly contribute to understanding how green skills can drive sustainable human resource practices in the e-waste sector, providing insights for policymakers, educational institutions, and industry leaders on fostering a sustainable workforce.

The PhD candidate will aim to conduct comprehensive literature reviews, develop theoretical frameworks, and employ both qualitative and quantitative research methods to analyze the impact of green skills and tech-driven upskilling on the e-waste sector. They will gather primary data through interviews and case studies, compare international best practices, and investigate the role of university-industry partnerships in developing sustainable human capital. The candidate will also disseminate findings through academic publications and engage with stakeholders to translate research insights into actionable strategies.

This PhD project will aim to provide a detailed understanding of how green skills contribute to sustainable human resource practices in the e-waste sector. It will explore the integration of environmental and technological advancements in workforce development, offering a comprehensive framework for enhancing sustainability in e-waste management. By analyzing best practices and fostering university-industry partnerships, the project will deliver actionable recommendations for policy and practice, contributing to the strategic research theme of Sustainable Futures at the university.

Suggested reading:

1. Järlström, M., Saru, E., & Vanhala, S. (2018). Sustainable Human Resource Management with Salience of Stakeholders: A Top Management Perspective. Journal of Business Ethics, 152(3), 703–724. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-016-3310-8

2. Lu, Y., Zhang, M. M., Yang, M.M., & Wang, Y. (2023). Sustainable human resource management practices, employee resilience, and employee outcomes: Toward common good values. Human Resource Management, 62(3), 331–353. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.22153

3. Renwick, D.W.S. (2024). Work Politics and the Green Industrial Revolution: A Reflective Analysis of the UK Green Jobs Taskforce. Palgrave Macmillan.

MSc in business, management or other social science discipline relevant to the topic. Qualitative methodological skills.

This is a self-funded PhD project for UK and International applicants.