Title: Sustainable flexible work arrangements: a qualitative study from Ghana

Authors: Samuel Howard Quartey

Addresses: Department of Adult Education and Human Resource Studies, University of Ghana, Legon-Accra, Ghana; University of Ghana Learning Centre, Koforidua – Eastern Region, Ghana

Abstract: This paper explores sustainable flexible work arrangements (FWAs). Sustainable flexible work arrangements highlight the nexus between flexible work arrangements and environmental sustainability. As an exploratory qualitative study, 25 human resource practitioners working in public sector organisations in Ghana were purposively selected and interviewed. In-depth interviews were conducted, and data gathered was thematically analysed. The findings showed that different forms of flexible work arrangements were practiced and notable among them were shift system, remote working, flexi time, annual leave, and job sharing. Flexible work arrangements largely supported environmental sustainability through limited energy and electricity consumption, limited water consumption, and limited vehicular use and emissions. This paper shows that flexible work arrangements can support environmental sustainability and subsequently foster sustainable flexible work arrangements using the natural resource-based view lens. Theoretical, practical, and research implications of the findings were discussed.

Keywords: flexible work arrangements; FWA; environmental sustainability; sustainable flexible work arrangements; human resource practitioners; public sector organisations; Ghana.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWE.2024.141572

International Journal of Environment, Workplace and Employment, 2024 Vol.8 No.2, pp.151 - 170

Received: 29 Jan 2024
Accepted: 15 Mar 2024
Published online: 24 Sep 2024 *

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