Human resource acquisition (recruitment) practices and their impact on sustainable development and growth of construction businesses

This study explores how emerging human resource acquisition practices in construction businesses address workforce shortages, fostering sustainable development and growth. Recent shifts towards sustainability in Swedish construction businesses, particularly in rural areas, have influenced recruitment practices, attracted new talent, and enhanced reputations within a sustainable business ecosystem. The findings reveal a blend of traditional and innovative acquisition practices, albeit insufficient to address rural workforce shortages comprehensively. These practices, evolving organically over time, reflect a mix of resource-leveraging strategies, including collaboration and resource sharing among industry actors. While these practices demonstrate an implicit commitment to sustainability, there’s a lack of explicit sustainability agendas within these businesses. The study underscores the need for intermediaries specializing in sustainability and HR matters, particularly in rural areas, to support sustainable development. Moreover, it advocates for a symbiotic approach, combining in-house and intermediary practices to achieve both growth and sustainability goals. The findings suggest that innovative in-house practices outperform intermediary-focused approaches in enhancing sustainability. The study has implications for business managers, offering insights into effective acquisition practices for achieving both growth and sustainability objectives.