10.71932/ijm.2025.1207725

The Role of Integrated Environmental Management Systems (IEMS) in Promoting Human Resource Sustainability in the Assaluyeh Oil Field

  1. Department of Industrial Management, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
  2. Department of Mathematics, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
  3. Department of Management, Mobarakeh Branch, Islamic Azad University, Mobarakeh, Isfahan, Iran.

Received: 01-05-2025

Accepted: 10-06-2025

Published in Issue 10-06-2025

How to Cite

Mousavi, S. A., Jalali Varnamkhasti, M., & Aghajani, M. (2025). The Role of Integrated Environmental Management Systems (IEMS) in Promoting Human Resource Sustainability in the Assaluyeh Oil Field. International Journal of Mathematical Modelling & Computations, 15(3), 181-197. https://doi.org/10.71932/ijm.2025.1207725

Abstract

This article investigates the implementation of Integrated Environmental Management Systems (IEMS) in the Assaluyeh Oil Field and their influence on promoting human resource sustainability. The study highlights the dual challenges of environmental management and human resource development in one of Iran's leading gas extraction sites. Emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches, the research articulates how IEMS enhances operational efficiencies, improves worker safety, and elevates employee engagement. Data from safety records indicate a 92% reduction in the Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) and significant increases in employee satisfaction scores, from 3.4 to 4.5, following IEMS adoption linked to ISO 14001 certification. The findings demonstrate that stakeholder collaboration including management, employees, local authorities, and community members was critical in overcoming logistical obstacles and cultural resistance. This analysis contributes to the broader discourse on sustainable human resource practices within the oil and gas sector, indicating that IEMS can serve as a transformative tool that aligns operational objectives with social and environmental responsibilities. The research not only provides insights for future policy implementations in the Assaluyeh Oil Field but also offers a blueprint for similar sectors aiming to leverage IEMS for enhanced sustainability outcomes.

Keywords

  • Human Capital,
  • Sustainability,
  • Asaluyeh,
  • Oil Field,
  • Policy Implementation

References

  1. Argent RM. An overview of model integration for environmental applications components, frameworks and semantics. Environ Model Softw. 2004;19(3):219-34.
  2. Dauvergne P. Globalization and the environment. Glob Polit Econ. 2005;2(2):448-78.
  3. Schneider J, Ghettas S, Merdaci N, Brown M, Martyniuk J, Alshehri W, et al. Towards sustainability in the oil and gas sector: benchmarking of environmental, health, and safety efforts. J Environ Sustain. 2013;3(3):6 .
  4. Sari RN, Junita D, Anugerah R, Nanda ST. Social entrepreneurship, transformational leadership and organizational performance: The mediating role of organizational learning. Pol J Manag Stud. 2021;23:-.
  5. Vochin OA, Sârbu AM, Pamfilie R, Sârbu R. The Role of Human Resources Function in Promoting Sustainability on Oil & Gas Industry. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on New Trends in Sustainable Business and Consumption; 2023. p. 176-82.
  6. Barrow C. Environmental management for sustainable development. Routledge; 2006.
  7. Benn S, Edwards M, Williams T. Organizational change for corporate sustainability. Routledge; 2014.
  8. Kumar A, Bhaskar P, Nadeem SP, Tyagi M, Garza-Reyes JA. Sustainability adoption through sustainable human resource management: A systematic literature review and conceptual framework. Int J Math Eng Manag Sci. 2020;5(6):1014.
  9. Málovics G, Csigéné NN, Kraus S. The role of corporate social responsibility in strong sustainability. J Socio-Economics. 2008;37(3):907-18.
  10. Westhues M, Einwiller S. Corporate foundations: Their role for corporate social responsibility. Corp Reput Rev. 2006;9:144-53.
  11. Moldavska A, Welo T. A Holistic approach to corporate sustainability assessment: Incorporating sustainable development goals into sustainable manufacturing performance evaluation. J Manuf Syst. 2019;50:53-68.
  12. Amin ATMN, Jarusombut S, Thuy TTB, Thanaprayochask W. Environmental management measures for influencing human behaviour towards sustainable development. Reg Dev Dialogue. 2006;27(1):85.
  13. Biondi V, Frey M, Iraldo F. Environmental management systems and SMEs: motivations, opportunities and barriers related to EMAS and ISO 14001 implementation. Greener Manag Int. 2000;(29):55-69.
  14. Simon A, Bernardo M. How does human resources management influence the implementation of integrated management systems?. In: Proceedings of the 1st International Conference on Quality Engineering and Management; 2014. p. 291-302.
  15. Ehnert I, Harry W, Zink KJ. Sustainability and human resource management: Developing sustainable business organizations. Berlin/Heidelberg: Springer; 2014.
  16. Ullah MM. Integrating environmental sustainability into human resources management: A comprehensive review on green human resources management (Green HRM) Practices. Econ Manag. 2017;6(1):14-9. 10.71932/ijm.2025.1207725
  17. Saeed BB, Afsar B, Hafeez S, Khan I, Tahir M, Afridi MA. Promoting employee's proenvironmental behavior through green human resource management practices. Corp Soc Responsib Environ Manag. 2019;26(2):424-38.
  18. Chams N, García-Blandón J. On the importance of sustainable human resource management for the adoption of sustainable development goals. Resour Conserv Recycl. 2019;141:109-22.
  19. Opatha HH. Sustainable human resource management. Beau Bassin, Mauritius: Lap Lambert Academic Publishing; 2019.
  20. Lai SL, Chen DN. A research on the relationship between environmental sustainability management and human development. Sustainability. 2020;12(21):9001.
  21. Khajehpour B. Anatomy of the Iranian economy. Stockholm: Swedish Institute of International Affairs; 2020.
  22. Afum E, Agyabeng-Mensah Y, Opoku Mensah A, Mensah-Williams E, Baah C, Dacosta E. Internal environmental management and green human resource management: significant catalysts for improved corporate reputation and performance. Benchmarking. 2021;28(10):3074-101. DOI: 10.1108/BIJ-05- 2020-0247.
  23. Cheng Z, Liu W, Zhou K, Che Y, Han Y. Promoting employees’ pro‐environmental behaviour through empowering leadership: The roles of psychological ownership, empowerment role identity, and environmental self‐identity. Bus Ethics Environ Responsib. 2021;30(4):604-18.
  24. Schaltegger S, Burritt R, Petersen H. An introduction to corporate environmental management: Striving for sustainability. Routledge; 2017.
  25. Abdelnour AG. Environmental management practices of the oil and gas companies in Lebanon [doctoral dissertation]. 2018.
  26. Qiu X, Bashir T, Gul RF, Sadiq B, Naseem A. Collaborative Green Initiatives: Integrating Human Resources, Intellectual Capital, and Innovation for Environmental Performance. Sustainability. 2024;17(1):224.
  27. Fayyaz A, Liu C, Xu Y, Ramzan S. Effects of green human resource management, internal environmental management and developmental culture between lean six sigma and operational performance. Int J Lean Six Sigma. 2025;16(1):109-40.
  28. Copeland BR, Shapiro JS, Taylor MS. Globalization and the Environment. In: Australia’s Economy in its International Context, vol 2. 2021. p. 575.
  29. Daily BF, Huang SC. Achieving sustainability through attention to human resource factors in environmental management. Int J Oper Prod Manag. 2001;21(12):1539-52.
  30. Darvazeh SS, Mooseloo FM, Aeini S, Vandchali HR, Tirkolaee EB. An integrated methodology for green human resource management in construction industry. Environ Sci Pollut Res. 2023;30(60):124619-37.
  31. El-Gayar O, Fritz BD. Environmental management information systems (EMIS) for sustainable development: a conceptual overview. Commun Assoc Inf Syst. 2006;17(1):34.
  32. Margerum RD, Born SM. Integrated environmental management: moving from theory to practice. J Environ Plan Manag. 1995;38(3):371-92.
  33. Margerum RD. Integrated environmental management: the foundations for successful practice. Environ Manag. 1999;24(2):151-66.
  34. Muhanna E. Sustainable tourism development and environmental management for developing countries. Probl Perspect Manag. 2006;4(2):14-30.
  35. [35] Park DS, Kang MS, Chae CB, Sunwoo Y, Hong KH. Implementation of Integrated Environmental Management and Its Specialized Engineering Education in Korea: A Case Study. Sustainability. 2024;16(5):2140.
  36. Piwowar‐Sulej K. Core functions of Sustainable Human Resource Management. A hybrid literature review with the use of H‐Classics methodology. Sustain Dev. 2021;29(4):671-93.
  37. Piwowar-Sulej K, Iqbal Q. Sustainable Human Resource Training: A study of Scale Development and Validation. Ger J Hum Resour Manag. 2025; Forthcoming.
  38. Provo J, Ruona WE, Lynham SA, Miller RF. Scenario building: An integral methodology for learning, decision-making, and human resource development. Hum Resour Dev Int. 1998;1(3):327-40.
  39. Ramos TB, Caeiro S, Van Hoof B, Lozano R, Huisingh D, Ceulemans K. Experiences from the implementation of sustainable development in higher education institutions: Environmental Management for Sustainable Universities. J Clean Prod. 2015;106:3-10.
  40. Samy GM, Samy CP, Ammasaiappan M. Integated Management Systems for Better Environmental Performance and Sustainable Development- A Review. Environ Eng Manag J. 2015;14(5):-.
  41. Singh RK, Murty HR, Gupta SK, Dikshit AK. Integrated environment management in steel industries. Int J Manag Decis Mak. 2008;9(2):103-28.