Human Capital Development for Achieving SDG 8: An HRM Perspective

Abstract

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) seeks to “promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.” Human capital development, broadly defined as the enhancement of individuals’ skills, knowledge, and abilities, is central to achieving this target. From an HRM perspective, investing in human capital underpins organizational performance and national development. This paper explores how human resource management (HRM) strategies contribute to human capital development for SDG 8 by examining the role of training and development, career management, talent retention, sustainability-oriented HRM practices, and challenges associated with implementation. By synthesizing theoretical frameworks and empirical studies, the paper demonstrates that HRM plays an essential role in aligning human capital development with economic and social dimensions of sustainability.