Unmasking AMO’s hidden dynamics through the configurational approach: a focus on sustainability-induced HRM architecture and SDGs

Purpose This study aims to depict Sustainable Development Goals’ (SDGs) status in Egypt, through linking sustainability-induced human resource management architecture, known as green human resource management practices (GHRMP), with employee’s eco-friendly behavior (EEB) and thus addresses their black box proposition. Furthermore, this study aims to compliment the two premises of the configurational theory, through addressing equifinality and synergistic effects empirically to fulfill both horizontal and vertical fits. Design/methodology/approach An asymmetric fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) is adopted to contribute empirically to the configurational approach. Nonprobability judgmental sampling technique is adopted, using primary data from 233 respondents, in two sectors via online self-administered survey. Findings Results show multiple causal configurations between GHRMP, employee’s environmental commitment and organizational citizenship behavior for the environment to elicit EEB, thus fulfilling the equifinality premise and depicting the coexistence of synergistic effects fulfilling the second premise. GHRMP resonated with various SDGs in the investigated sectors, indicating a limited adoption thereof. Proposed combinations offer adaptations in GHRMP that support SDGs’ fulfillment. Originality/value This study sheds light on the causal complexity of GHRMP interactions, through empirical configurational analysis unlike earlier contributions that are predominantly conceptual while extending the respective ability-motivation-opportunity model earlier works. Also, this paper offers managerial insights, through various fsQCA solutions to elicit EEB, where the status quo of each sector is identified, inferring SDGs’ fulfillment.