GREEN HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE PERFORMANCE: A BIBLIOMETRIC AND SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF RESEARCH TRENDS AND THEMATIC EVOLUTION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62985/j.huit_ojs.vol26.no3E.595Keywords:
Green Human Resource Management (GHRM), sustainable performance, bibliometric analysis, AMO theory, low-carbon transition, sustainable leadership.Abstract
This study offers a comprehensive bibliometric and systematic review of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) literature from 2010 to 2025, aiming to clarify its evolution and contributions to sustainable performance (SP). A total of 4,665 records were initially identified, with 196 peer-reviewed articles selected for in-depth analysis. Using VOSviewer and thematic synthesis, the study reveals three major research clusters: GHRM practices and employee outcomes; leadership and CSR-based enablers; and green innovation supporting low-carbon transitions. The results show a clear shift from compliance-oriented to strategic and behavioral perspectives, especially in energy-intensive sectors. The study integrates the Resource-Based View, AMO, Social Cognitive Theory, and Norm Activation Model into a multi-level framework that captures how GHRM enhances green capabilities and fosters pro-environmental behavior. It also highlights gaps in longitudinal research, carbon performance metrics, and digital enablers. The review contributes by mapping intellectual trends and providing implications for aligning HR strategies with climate innovation agendas, particularly in sectors like steel under emerging policy frameworks such as the EU Green Deal.
References
[1] D. W. Renwick, T. Redman, and S. Maguire, "Green human resource management: A review and research agenda," International journal of management reviews, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 1-14, 2013, doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2011.00328.x
[2] S. Roscoe, N. Subramanian, C. J. Jabbour, and T. Chong, "Green human resource management and the enablers of green organisational culture: Enhancing a firm's environmental performance for sustainable development," Business Strategy and the Environment, vol. 28, no. 5, pp. 737-749, 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2277
[3] N. T. Pham, H. T. Hoang, and Q. P. T. Phan, "Green human resource management: a comprehensive review and future research agenda," International Journal of Manpower, vol. 41, no. 7, pp. 845-878, 2020, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-07-2019-0350
[4] S. Ren, G. Tang, and S. E. Jackson, "Green human resource management research in emergence: A review and future directions," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 769-803, 2018, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-017-9532-1
[5] J. Dumont, J. Shen, and X. Deng, "Effects of green HRM practices on employee workplace green behavior: The role of psychological green climate and employee green values," Human resource management, vol. 56, no. 4, pp. 613-627, 2017, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.21792
[6] P. Mishra, "Green human resource management: A framework for sustainable organizational development in an emerging economy," International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 762-788, 2017, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-11-2016-1079
[7] K. Saher, M. F. Zafar, and Q. Siddique, "The impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and green investments on sustainable performance: The mediating role of firm financial performance," Global Economics Review, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 59-73, 2023, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/ger.2023(VIII-I).06
[8] B. B. Saeed, B. Afsar, S. Hafeez, I. Khan, M. Tahir, and M. A. Afridi, "Promoting employee's proenvironmental behavior through green human resource management practices," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 424-438, 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1694
[9] N. Donthu, S. Kumar, D. Mukherjee, N. Pandey, and W. M. Lim, "How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines," Journal of business research, vol. 133, pp. 285-296, 2021, doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.04.070
[10] I. Zupic and T. Čater, "Bibliometric methods in management and organization," Organizational research methods, vol. 18, no. 3, pp. 429-472, 2015. [Online]. Available: https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/26859/1/Zupic%20Cater%202015%20-%20Bibliometric%20methods%20in%20management%20and%20organization.pdf
[11] M. Sharma, A. Kumar, S. Luthra, S. Joshi, and A. Upadhyay, "The impact of environmental dynamism on low‐carbon practices and digital supply chain networks to enhance sustainable performance: An empirical analysis," Business Strategy and the Environment, vol. 31, no. 4, pp. 1776-1788, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2983
[12] J. Y. Yong, M.-Y. Yusliza, T. Ramayah, and O. Fawehinmi, "Nexus between green intellectual capital and green human resource management," Journal of cleaner production, vol. 215, pp. 364-374, 2019, doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.12.306
[13] D. Bangwal, A. Chaudhary, R. Kumar, S. S. Oberoi, and V. Kumar, "Green HRM, employee pro-environmental behavior, and environmental commitment," Acta Psychologica, vol. 258, p. 105153, 2025, doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105153
[14] H. Gao, A. Al Mamun, M. Masukujjaman, and Q. Yang, "Exploring the nexus of green human resource management, leadership and organizational culture on workplace pro-environmental behavior," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 1-17, 2025, doi: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05071-9
[15] Y. J. Kim, W. G. Kim, H.-M. Choi, and K. Phetvaroon, "The effect of green human resource management on hotel employees’ eco-friendly behavior and environmental performance," International journal of hospitality management, vol. 76, pp. 83-93, 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2018.04.007
[16] A. Longoni and R. Cagliano, "Inclusive environmental disclosure practices and firm performance: The role of green supply chain management," International Journal of Operations & Production Management, vol. 38, no. 9, pp. 1815-1835, 2018, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOPM-12-2016-0728
[17] C. J. C. Jabbour and A. B. L. de Sousa Jabbour, "Green human resource management and green supply chain management: Linking two emerging agendas," Journal of cleaner production, vol. 112, pp. 1824-1833, 2016, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.01.052
[18] R. Hameed, N. Rehman, S. Tufail, and M. Kiziloglu, "Green human resource management and environmental knowledge: A moderated mediation model to endorse green CSR," Frontiers in Environmental Science, vol. 11, p. 1136957, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1136957
[19] A. A. Zaid, A. A. Jaaron, and A. T. Bon, "The impact of green human resource management and green supply chain management practices on sustainable performance: An empirical study," Journal of cleaner production, vol. 204, pp. 965-979, 2018, doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.09.062
[20] R. Hameed, A. Mahmood, and M. Shoaib, "The role of green human resource practices in fostering green corporate social responsibility," Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 13, p. 792343, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.792343
[21] Y. M. Yusoff, M. Nejati, D. M. H. Kee, and A. Amran, "Linking green human resource management practices to environmental performance in hotel industry," Global Business Review, vol. 21, no. 3, pp. 663-680, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/ecuworkspost2013/6167/
[22] Q. Zhu and J. Sarkis, "Relationships between operational practices and performance among early adopters of green supply chain management practices in Chinese manufacturing enterprises," Journal of operations management, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 265-289, 2004, doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2004.01.005
[23] Q. Zhu and J. Sarkis, "An inter-sectoral comparison of green supply chain management in China: drivers and practices," Journal of cleaner production, vol. 14, no. 5, pp. 472-486, 2006, doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.01.003
[24] R. Chaudhuri, S. Chatterjee, S. Gupta, and S. Kamble, "Green supply chain technology and organization performance: Moderating role of environmental dynamism and product-service innovation capability," Technovation, vol. 128, p. 102857, 2023, doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.technovation.2023.102857
[25] F. Testa and F. Iraldo, "Shadows and lights of GSCM (Green Supply Chain Management): determinants and effects of these practices based on a multi-national study," Journal of cleaner production, vol. 18, no. 10-11, pp. 953-962, 2010, doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2010.03.005
[26] A. O. Ojo, C. N.-L. Tan, and M. Alias, "Linking green HRM practices to environmental performance through pro-environment behaviour in the information technology sector," Social Responsibility Journal, vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 1-18, 2022, doi: https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-12-2019-0403
[27] M. Pinzone, M. Guerci, E. Lettieri, and D. Huisingh, "Effects of ‘green’training on pro-environmental behaviors and job satisfaction: Evidence from the Italian healthcare sector," Journal of cleaner production, vol. 226, pp. 221-232, 2019, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.04.048
[28] G. Avery and H. Bergsteiner, Sustainable leadership: Honeybee and locust approaches. Routledge, 2012.
[29] M. Koseoglu, R. Rahimi, F. Okumus, and J. Liu, "Bibliometric studies in tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 61, 180–198," 2016, doi: http://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2016.10.006
[30] N. Van Eck and L. Waltman, "Software survey: VOSviewer, a computer program for bibliometric mapping," scientometrics, vol. 84, no. 2, pp. 523-538, 2010, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11192-009-0146-3
[31] M. J. Cobo, A. G. López‐Herrera, E. Herrera‐Viedma, and F. Herrera, "Science mapping software tools: Review, analysis, and cooperative study among tools," Journal of the American Society for information Science and Technology, vol. 62, no. 7, pp. 1382-1402, 2011, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/asi.21525
[32] U. A. Bukar, M. S. Sayeed, S. F. A. Razak, S. Yogarayan, O. A. Amodu, and R. A. R. Mahmood, "A method for analyzing text using VOSviewer," MethodsX, vol. 11, p. 102339, 2023, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2023.102339


