Assessing the Role of Guna Dominance in Employee Training Preferences and Organizational Behavior: An Empirical Study in Indian Organizations

In the pursuit of holistic human resource development, Indian organizations are exploring culturally embedded frameworks that align with indigenous values and human psychology. This paper proposes the integration of the ancient Indian concept of Guna Theory—Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas—into modern Training and Development (T&D) and Human Resource (HR) practices. Drawing from Indian philosophical traditions and organizational behavior, this study presents a conceptual framework for customizing HR strategies based on the dominant guna profiles of employees. It highlights how guna-aligned practices can enhance engagement, ethical leadership, team harmony, and organizational performance. . Recognizing the guna composition of employees can allow HR professionals to design customized training programs, leadership development modules, performance management tools, and conflict resolution strategies. Despite its philosophical richness and potential applicability, systematic integration of guna theory in HR practices remains limited. This study aims to fill that gap how guna-based HR interventions can foster adaptive, ethical, and purpose-driven organizational cultures. The paper concludes with implementation guidelines, a diagnostic model, and recommendations for future research.