Do green human resources management, digital technology, and green innovation shape university sustainability?

Higher education institutions face increasing pressure to align with global sustainability goals, particularly the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To address these challenges, internal aspects such as technology, human resources, and innovation must incorporate environmental and sustainability considerations. This study examines the roles of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM), digital technology, and green innovation in enhancing university sustainability, with a focus on Indonesian universities. This study employed a conclusive research design using hypothesis testing to support informed decision-making. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was applied using SmartPLS software to analyze data collected from questionnaires completed by academic staff in strategic positions across Indonesian universities. The findings indicate that digital technology has a significant effect on university sustainability. In addition, Green Human Resource Management and green innovation have significant direct effects on university sustainability. Furthermore, Green Human Resource Management mediates the relationship between digital technology and university sustainability, while green innovation mediates the relationship between Green Human Resource Management and university sustainability. These findings highlight the importance of integrating green human resource management, digital technology, and green innovation to enhance sustainability in higher education institutions. The study provides practical insights for university leaders and policymakers to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. However, the focus on Indonesian universities, the cross-sectional design, and the use of self-reported data may limit generalizability and causal interpretation. Unlike prior studies that focus on corporate contexts, this research contributes to the literature by offering a higher education perspective, particularly within the Indonesian context.