How AI enabled human resource management drives sustainable hybrid performance through AI centric green human resource management in Saudi Arabian private sector firms

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between AI-enabled human resource management (HRM) and AI-centric Green HRM (GHRM) and how these capabilities influence sustainable hybrid performance, defined as the integration of productivity, adaptability, and environmentally responsible work practices. The study further investigates the mediating roles of governance maturity, HR–IT collaboration, and workforce AI literacy within the Saudi Arabian private-sector firms. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected through an online survey employing purposive sampling among employees from private-sector firms in Saudi Arabia (N = 161). Six multidimensional constructs were measured using established scales from prior literature and analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling with bootstrapping. The measurement model demonstrated satisfactory fit (RMSEA = .042, CFI = .92, TLI = .91). The results reveal that AI-enabled HRM significantly influences AI-centric GHRM (β = .78, p < .05), while AI-centric GHRM positively affects sustainable hybrid performance (β = .71, p < .05). The model explains 64% of the variance in AI-centric GHRM and 55% of the variance in sustainable hybrid performance. Governance emerged as the strongest mediator, with indirect effects of β = .20 between AI-enabled HRM and AI-centric GHRM and β = .14 between AI-centric GHRM and sustainable hybrid performance. HR–IT collaboration and workforce AI literacy also exhibited significant complementary mediation effects. Theoretically, the study contributes to sustainability research by explaining how socio-technical mechanisms transform AI-enabled HR capabilities into environmental and organizational sustainability outcomes. Practically, the findings highlight the importance of sustainability-oriented AI governance, HR–IT collaboration, and workforce capability development in supporting sustainable hybrid work systems. Because the study employed a cross-sectional design, the findings should be interpreted as relational rather than causal.