Human Behavioral Drivers of Sustainable Supply Chains: The Role of Green Talent Management in Ecuadorian MSMEs

Alexander Sánchez-Rodríguez, Reyner Pérez-Campdesuñer, Gelmar García-Vidal, Yandi Fernández-Ochoa, Rodobaldo Martínez-Vivar and Freddy Ignacio Alvarez-Subía
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Reyner Pérez-Campdesuñer: Faculty of Law, Administrative and Social Sciences, Universidad UTE, Quito 170527, Ecuador
Gelmar García-Vidal: Faculty of Law, Administrative and Social Sciences, Universidad UTE, Quito 170527, Ecuador
Yandi Fernández-Ochoa: Faculty of Engineering Sciences and Industries, Universidad UTE, Quito 170527, Ecuador
Rodobaldo Martínez-Vivar: Faculty of Law, Administrative and Social Sciences, Universidad UTE, Quito 170527, Ecuador
Freddy Ignacio Alvarez-Subía: Faculty of Engineering Sciences and Industries, Universidad UTE, Quito 170527, Ecuador

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-29

Abstract: This study examines how green talent management (GTM) practices foster sustainable supply chains in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Quito, Ecuador. It analyzes how sustainable leadership, green organizational culture, and sustainability-oriented training influence employees’ pro-environmental motivation, organizational commitment, and sustainability attitudes, which in turn mediate the adoption of green logistics practices, supply chain efficiency, and organizational resilience. A quantitative design was employed, using survey data from 280 MSMEs analyzed through structural equation modeling. The findings demonstrate that GTM enhances employees’ motivation, commitment, and sustainability attitudes, which act as the primary behavioral mechanisms translating managerial practices into sustainability outcomes. Theoretically, the study integrates Green HRM and supply chain research with multiple organizational behavior theories, including Social Exchange Theory, the AMO model, the Theory of Planned Behavior, and the Resource-Based View. Empirically, it contributes novel evidence from Ecuadorian MSMEs, a context often underexplored in sustainability research. Practically, the study highlights leadership, culture, and training as strategic levers for building greener, more efficient, and more resilient supply chains. The results offer actionable recommendations for MSME managers and policymakers in Ecuador, highlighting the importance of investing in people as the foundation of sustainable competitiveness.

Keywords: sustainable leadership; green human resource management; pro-environmental motivation; MSMEs; sustainable supply chains; organizational resilience (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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