Green Human Resource Management and Sustainable Development: A Systematic Exploration
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study examines the development of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) research within sustainable development literature through bibliometric analysis. As a strategic human resource management approach, GHRM has received growing scholarly attention because of its contribution to promoting environmentally responsible behavior, strengthening organizational sustainability capabilities, and supporting long-term environmental performance. Nevertheless, systematic studies that map the evolution, thematic direction, and intellectual structure of this research field remain limited. Data were retrieved from the Scopus database, resulting in 76 open-access articles published between 2016 and 2024. The analysis was conducted using Biblioshiny to identify publication trends, dominant research themes, influential journals, and leading contributors. The findings reveal substantial publication growth after 2020, indicating increasing academic interest in GHRM and sustainability. Dominant themes include environmental performance, pro-environmental behavior, green HR practices, and sustainability-oriented organizational capabilities. Sustainability and the Journal of Cleaner Production emerged as the most influential journals, while Jabbour and Renwick were identified as key contributors. Overall, this study highlights GHRM’s shift toward broader sustainability and capability-based perspectives.
Downloads
Article Details

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
With this statement, I hereby grant and transfer to RUBINSTEIN all exclusive copyright ownership rights for the aforementioned work. This includes, but is not limited to, the rights to publish, republish, modify, distribute, transmit, sell, or use the work and related materials globally, in whole or in part, in any language, and through any form of media whether electronic, printed, or any other medium known now or developed in the future. RUBINSTEIN also reserves the right to grant permission or license third parties to carry out any of these actions. I acknowledge that RUBINSTEIN will hold these exclusive rights from the date the article is accepted for publication. I also recognize that RUBINSTEIN, as the copyright holder, has the sole authority to license and permit the reproduction of the article. However, I understand that any other proprietary rights related to the work (such as patents or other rights to a process or procedure) remain with the author. Furthermore, I acknowledge that RUBINSTEIN allows authors to use their articles in accordance with the applicable Creative Commons license.
References
Abedelrahim, S., Qassim, A. A., & Alatawi, F. M. H. (2024). Green Practices in Action: Examining HRM's Role in Fostering Environmental Performance in Egypt's Hospitality Sector. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083314
Abualigah, A., Koburtay, T., Bourini, I., Badar, K., & Gerged, A. M. (2023). Towards sustainable development in the hospitality sector: Does green human resource management stimulate green creativity? A moderated mediation model. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(6), 3217-3232. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3296
Ahmad, F., Hossain, M. B., Mustafa, K., Ejaz, F., Khawaja, K. F., & Dunay, A. (2023). Green HRM Practices and Knowledge Sharing Improve Environmental Performance by Raising Employee Commitment to the Environment. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15065040
Akbar, Y. K., Maratis, J., Nawangsari, L. C., Putri, R. K., & SK, P. (2024). The effects of green human resource management practices on sustainable university through green psychological climate of academic and non-academic staff. Cogent Business and Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2375404
Alenzi, M. A. S., Jaaffar, A. H., & Khudari, M. (2023). The effect of GHRM on the sustainable performance of private companies in Qatar. International Journal of Management and Sustainability, 12(3), 289-300. https://doi.org/10.18488/11.v12i3.3376
Alherimi, N., Marva, Z., Hamarsheh, K., & Alzaaterh, A. (2024). Employees' pro-environmental behavior in an organization: a case study in the UAE. Scientific Reports, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-66047-4
AlNaqbi, E., & Shamsudin, F. M. (2024). Greening the UAE workforce: Can green human resource management and domestic environmental regulations support green innovation at the workplace? Problems and Perspectives in Management, 22(1), 593-604. https://doi.org/10.21511/ppm.22(1).2024.47
Al-Sabi, S. M., Al-Ababneh, M. M., Al Qsssem, A. H., Afaneh, J. A. A., & Elshaer, I. A. (2024). Green human resource management practices and environmental performance: the mediating role of job satisfaction and pro-environmental behavior. Cogent Business and Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2328316
Altassan, M. (2024). The moderating mediating model of green climate and green innovation's effect on environmental performance. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 12(1), 345-358. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.uscm.2023.9.016
Altassan, M. A. (2024). The nexus between green HR practices and firm sustainable performance in Saudi Arabia manufacturing industry: The role of green innovation and green transformation leadership. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 12(4), 2207-2220. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.uscm.2024.6.010
Appiah Kissi, E., Segbenya, M., & Oti Amoah, J. (2024). Environmental sustainability among workers in Ghana: The role of green human resource management. Heliyon, 10(13). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e33380
Ari, E., Karatepe, O. M., Rezapouraghdam, H., & Avci, T. (2020). A conceptual model for green human resource management: Indicators, differential pathways, and multiple pro-environmental outcomes. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(17). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12177089
Aria, M., & Cuccurullo, C. (2017). bibliometrix : An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis. Journal of Informetrics, 11(4), 959-975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joi.2017.08.007
Atmaja, H. E., Hartono, B., Siharis, A. K., Lionora, C. A., & Simamora, A. J. (2024). Green HRM for Companies in Indonesia. Quality - Access to Success, 25(200), 247-255. https://doi.org/10.47750/QAS/25.200.25
Awan, U., Braathen, P., & Hannola, L. (2023). When and how the implementation of green human resource management and data-driven culture to improve the firm sustainable environmental development? Sustainable Development, 31(4), 2726-2740. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2543
Bombiak, E. (2019). Green human resource management- the latest trend or strategic necessity? Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 6(4), 1647-1662. https://doi.org/10.9770/jesi.2019.6.4(7)
Bombiak, E., & Marciniuk-Kluska, A. (2018). Green human resource management as a tool for the sustainable development of enterprises: Polish young company experience. Sustainability (Switzerland), 10(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/su10061739
Cesario, F., Sabino, A., Moreira, A., & Azevedo, T. (2022). Green Human Resources Practices and Person-Organization Fit: The Moderating Role of the Personal Environmental Commitment. Emerging Science Journal, 6(5), 938-951. https://doi.org/10.28991/ESJ-2022-06-05-02
Cheng, Y., Liu, H., Yuan, Y., Zhang, Z., & Zhao, J. (2022). What Makes Employees Green Advocates? Exploring the Effects of Green Human Resource Management. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031807
Coelho, J. P., Couto, A. I., & Ferreira-Oliveira, A. T. (2024). Green Human Resource Management: Practices, Benefits, and Constraints-Evidence from the Portuguese Context. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16135478
Coelho, M. P., Cesario, F., Sabino, A., & Moreira, A. (2022). Pro-Environmental Messages in Job Advertisements and the Intentions to Apply-The Mediating Role of Organizational Attractiveness. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14053014
Darvazeh, S. S., Mooseloo, F. M., Aeini, S., Vandchali, H. R., & Tirkolaee, E. B. (2023). An integrated methodology for green human resource management in construction industry. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International, 30(60), 124619-124637. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-20967-8
Dian, W., Pambudi, W. F., Janny, D. A., & Leonardus, S. B. A. M. (2022). The mediating role of environmental sustainability between green human resources management, green supply chain, and green business: A conceptual model. Uncertain Supply Chain Management, 10(3), 933-946. https://doi.org/10.5267/j.uscm.2022.3.001
Dumont, J., Shen, J., & Deng, X. (2017). Effects of Green HRM Practices on Employee Workplace Green Behavior: The Role of Psychological Green Climate and Employee Green Values. Human Resource Management, 56(4), 613-627. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.21792
Foster, B., Muhammad, Z., Yusliza, M. Y., Faezah, J. N., Johansyah, M. D., Yong, J. Y., Ul-Haque, A., Saputra, J., Ramayah, T., & Fawehinmi, O. (2022). Determinants of Pro-Environmental Behaviour in the Workplace. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084420
Freihat, L., Al-Qaaida, M., Huneiti, Z., & Abbod, M. (2024). Green Human Resource Management/Supply Chain Management/Regulation and Legislation and Their Effects on Sustainable Development Goals in Jordan. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072769
Good, J. R. L., Singh, P., & Ezzedeen, S. (2023). Environmental Sustainability Strategy, Creativity, Innovation and Organizational Performance: The Role of Green Human Resource Management. American Business Review, 26(2), 475-502. https://doi.org/10.37625/abr.26.2.475-502
Graczyk-Kucharska, M. (2023). Sustainability in the Development of Green Organizations Based on the Example of Manufacturing Companies. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/su152014705
Guerci, M., & Carollo, L. (2016). A paradox view on green human resource management: Insights from the Italian context. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 27(2), 212-238. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2015.1033641
Gyensare, M. A., Adomako, S., & Amankwah-Amoah, J. (2024). Green HRM practices, employee well-being, and sustainable work behavior: Examining the moderating role of resource commitment. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(4), 3129-3141. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3642
Haddock-Millar, J., Sanyal, C., & Muller-Camen, M. (2016). Green human resource management: A comparative qualitative case study of a United States multinational corporation. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 27(2), 192-211. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2015.1052087
He, J., Morrison, A. M., & Zhang, H. (2021). Being sustainable: The three-way interactive effects of CSR, green human resource management, and responsible leadership on employee green behavior and task performance. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 28(3), 1043-1054. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2104
He, W., Mushtaq, N., & Jan, L. (2024). Unlocking the dual black box of GHRMP & EGOC for sustainable environmental performance in developing economies: can green workplace behavior and green passion transmit the real change? Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26(6), 16025-16055. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03286-x
Hong, N. T. H., Hanh, T. T., Anh, N. Q., Anh, D. N., Ngoc, T. M., & Nhi, N. D. L. (2024). Green Human Resources Management and employees' green behavioral intention: the role of individual green values and corporate social responsibility. Cogent Business and Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2386464
Huo, W., Li, X., Zheng, M., Liu, Y., & Yan, J. (2020). Commitment to human resource management of the top management team for green creativity. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/su12031008
Huo, X., Azhar, A., Rehman, N., & Majeed, N. (2022). The Role of Green Human Resource Management Practices in Driving Green Performance in the Context of Manufacturing SMEs. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(24). https://doi.org/10.3390/su142416776
Jabbour, C. J. C., & De Sousa Jabbour, A. B. L. (2016). Green Human Resource Management and Green Supply Chain Management: Linking two emerging agendas. Journal of Cleaner Production, 112, 1824-1833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.01.052
Jabbour, C. J. C., & Renwick, D. W. S. (2018). The soft side of environmentally-sustainable organizations. RAUSP Management Journal, 53(4), 622-627. https://doi.org/10.1108/RAUSP-07-2018-0044
Jackson, S. E., Renwick, D. W. S., Jabbour, C. J. C., & Muller-Camen, M. (2011). State-of-the-Art and Future Directions for Green Human Resource Management: Introduction to the Special Issue. German Journal of Human Resource Management: Zeitschrift Fur Personalforschung, 25(2), 99-116. https://doi.org/10.1177/239700221102500203
Kanan, M., Taha, B., Saleh, Y., Alsayed, M., Assaf, R., Hassen, M. B., Alshaibani, E., Bakir, A., & Tunsi, W. (2023). Green Innovation as a Mediator between Green Human Resource Management Practices and Sustainable Performance in Palestinian Manufacturing Industries. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021077
Khan, M. H., & Muktar, S. N. (2020). A bibliometric analysis of green human resource management based on scopus platform. Cogent Business and Management, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2020.1831165
Khan, M. H., & Muktar, S. N. (2021). What's next for green human resource management: Insights and trends for sustainable development. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 16(1), 181-194. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsdp.160119
Li, M., ul Abidin, R. Z., Qammar, R., Qadri, S. U., Khan, M. K., Ma, Z., Qadri, S., Ahmed, H., Khan, H. S. U. D., & Mahmood, S. (2023). Pro-environmental behavior, green HRM practices, and green psychological climate: Examining the underlying mechanism in Pakistan. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1067531
Liu, J., Gao, X., Cao, Y., Mushtaq, N., Chen, J., & Wan, L. (2022). Catalytic Effect of Green Human Resource Practices on Sustainable Development Goals: Can Individual Values Moderate an Empirical Validation in a Developing Economy? Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/su142114502
Liu, J., Wang, Q., & Wei, C. (2024). Unleashing Green Innovation in Enterprises: The Transformative Power of Digital Technology Application, Green Human Resource, and Digital Innovation Networks. Systems, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12010011
Ma, L., Zhang, X., & Dong, L. (2023). Enhancing Sustainable Performance: The Innovative Strategy of Digital Transformation Leading Green Collaborative Management. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(17). https://doi.org/10.3390/su151713085
Manuel, C. D., Magalhaes, C. R., Huber, C. M., Smerek, L., Costa, A. F., & Alves, J. R. (2024). Cross-Cultural Adaptation of a Questionnaire Measuring Organizational Citizenship Behavior towards the Environment. Administrative Sciences, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14030057
Marrucci, L., Daddi, T., & Iraldo, F. (2024). Creating environmental performance indicators to assess corporate sustainability and reward employees. Ecological Indicators, 158. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.111489
Matejun, M., Matusiak, B. E., & Rozanska-Binczyk, I. (2024). Employee Readiness for GHRM and Its Individual Antecedents: Instrumental and Change-Based Approach. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16114776
Merlin, M. L., & Chen, Y. (2022). Impact of green human resource management on organizational reputation and attractiveness: The mediated-moderated model. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.962531
Mishra, P. (2017). Green human resource management. International Journal of Organizational Analysis, 25(5), 762-788. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-11-2016-1079
Mustafa, K., Hossain, M. B., Ahmad, F., Ejaz, F., Khan, H. G. A., & Dunay, A. (2023). Green human resource management practices to accomplish green competitive advantage: A moderated mediation model. Heliyon, 9(11). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e21830
Ogbeibu, S., Chiappetta Jabbour, C. J., Burgess, J., Gaskin, J., & Renwick, D. W. S. (2022). Green talent management and turnover intention: the roles of leader STARA competence and digital task interdependence. Journal of Intellectual Capital, 23(1), 27-55. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIC-01-2021-0016
Ogbeibu, S., Emelifeonwu, J., Pereira, V., Oseghale, R., Gaskin, J., Sivarajah, U., & Gunasekaran, A. (2024). Demystifying the roles of organisational smart technology, artificial intelligence, robotics and algorithms capability: A strategy for green human resource management and environmental sustainability. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(2), 369-388. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3495
Paille, P., Valeau, P., & Renwick, D. W. (2020). Leveraging green human resource practices to achieve environmental sustainability. Journal of Cleaner Production, 260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121137
Parida, S., Ananthram, S., Chan, C., & Brown, K. (2021). Green office buildings and sustainability: Does green human resource management elicit green behaviors? Journal of Cleaner Production, 329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129764
Parida, S., Chan, C., Ananthram, S., & Brown, K. (2023). In the search for greener buildings: The role of green human resource management. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(8), 5952-5968. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3467
Pinzone, M., Guerci, M., Lettieri, E., & Redman, T. (2016). Progressing in the change journey towards sustainability in healthcare: The role of "Green" HRM. Journal of Cleaner Production, 122, 201-211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.02.031
Piwowar-Sulej, K., Austen, A., & Iqbal, Q. (2023). Fostering three types of green behavior through green HRM in the energy sector: the conditional role of environmental managerial support. Baltic Journal of Management, 18(4), 509-524. https://doi.org/10.1108/BJM-03-2023-0089
Rawash, H. N., & Aloqaily, A. N. (2022). The impact of implementing green human resources management in government institutions in the Jordanian Ministry of Justice. International Journal of Advanced and Applied Sciences, 9(11), 113-120. https://doi.org/10.21833/ijaas.2022.11.014
Renwick, D. W. S., Jabbour, C. J. C., Muller-Camen, M., Redman, T., & Wilkinson, A. (2016a). Contemporary developments in Green (environmental) HRM scholarship. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 27(2), 114-128. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2015.1105844
Renwick, D. W. S., Jabbour, C. J. C., Muller-Camen, M., Redman, T., & Wilkinson, A. (2016b). Contemporary developments in Green (environmental) HRM scholarship. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 27(2), 114-128. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2015.1105844
Renwick, D. W. S., Redman, T., & Maguire, S. (2016). Green Human Resource Management: A Review and Research Agenda*. International Journal of Management Reviews, 15(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2370.2011.00328.x
Rizvi, Y. S., & Garg, R. (2021). The study of green human resource management practices in Indian organisations and its relationship with green culture and environmental performance. International Journal of Environment, Workplace and Employment, 6(3), 234-258. https://doi.org/10.1504/ijewe.2021.10043364
Roscoe, S., Subramanian, N., Jabbour, C. J. C., & Chong, T. (2019). 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, 28(5), 737-749. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.2277
Sachs, J. D. (2012). From Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals. The Lancet, 379(9832), 2206-2211. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60685-0
Sangadji, E. M., & Islami, M. I. (2024). Effect of Green Transformational Leadership on Organizational Environmental Performance: The Role of Green Human Resource Management Practices (Study on SMEs in The Embroidery Sector). International Journal of Economics and Management, 18(1), 53-72. https://doi.org/10.47836/ijeam.18.1.04
Setyadi, A., Akbar, Y. K., Ariana, S., & Pawirosumarto, S. (2023). Examining the Effect of Green Logistics and Green Human Resource Management on Sustainable Development Organizations: The Mediating Role of Sustainable Production. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(13). https://doi.org/10.3390/su151310667
Shah, S. M. A., Jiang, Y., Wu, H., Ahmed, Z., Ullah, I., & Adebayo, T. S. (2021). Linking green human resource practices and environmental economics performance: the role of green economic organizational culture and green psychological climate. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010953
Shayegan, S., Bazrkar, A., & Yadegari, R. (2023). Realization of Sustainable Organizational Performance Using New Technologies and Green Human Resource Management Practices. Foresight and STI Governance, 17(2), 95-105. https://doi.org/10.17323/2500-2597.2023.2.95.105
Sinclair-Desgagne, B. (2021). Green human resource management - A personnel economics perspective. Resource and Energy Economics, 66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reseneeco.2021.101261
Tang, G., Chen, Y., Jiang, Y., Paille, P., & Jia, J. (2018). Green human resource management practices: scale development and validity. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 56(1), 31-55. https://doi.org/10.1111/1744-7941.12147
Teixeira, A. A., Jabbour, C. J. C., De Sousa Jabbour, A. B. L., Latan, H., & De Oliveira, J. H. C. (2016). Green training and green supply chain management: Evidence from Brazilian firms. Journal of Cleaner Production, 116, 170-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2015.12.061
Tella, A., & Aisha Olabooye, A. (2014). Bibliometric analysis of African Journal Of Library , Archives and Information Science from 2000-2012. Library Review, 63(4/5), 305-323. https://doi.org/10.1108/LR-07-2016-0094
Tulsi, P., & Ji, Y. (2020). A conceptual approach to green human resource management and corporate environmental responsibility in the hospitality industry. Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 7(1), 195-203. https://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2020.vol7.no1.195
Uddin, M. S., Rahaman, M. A., Latif, W. B., Dona, P. D., & Kundu, D. (2023). Impact of green HRM practices on bank employee service behaviors. Banks and Bank Systems, 18(4), 85-93. https://doi.org/10.21511/bbs.18(4).2023.08
Uslu, F., Keles, A., Aytekin, A., Yayla, O., Keles, H., Ergun, G. S., & Tarinc, A. (2023). Effect of Green Human Resource Management on Green Psychological Climate and Environmental Green Behavior of Hotel Employees: The Moderator Roles of Environmental Sensitivity and Altruism. Sustainability (Switzerland), 15(7). https://doi.org/10.3390/su15076017
Vazquez-Brust, D., Jabbour, C. J. C., Plaza-Ubeda, J. A., Perez-Valls, M., de Sousa Jabbour, A. B. L., & Renwick, D. W. S. (2023). The role of green human resource management in the translation of greening pressures into environmental protection practices. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(6), 3628-3648. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3319
Wei, C. C., Oluwaseyi, O. A., & Chew, G. G. (2023). Exploring environmental sustainability practices in MSMEs: Insights from Malaysia. International Journal of Management and Sustainability, 13(1), 76-90. https://doi.org/10.18488/11.v13i1.3600
Yogi Ardiansyah, & Irawan, A. (2022). Pengaruh Pengetahuan Perpajakan, Self Assesment System, Dan Sanksi Perpajakan Terhadap Kepatuhan Wajib Pajak (Studi Kasus Pada Wajib Pajak Orang Pribadi Di Kpp Pratama Bojonagara). Indonesian Accounting Research Journal, 2(3), 265-280. https://doi.org/10.35313/iarj.v2i3.4132
Zibarras, L. D., & Coan, P. (2015). HRM practices used to promote pro-environmental behavior: a UK survey. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 26(16), 2121-2142. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2014.972429
Zihan, W., & Makhbul, Z. K. M. (2024). Green Human Resource Management as a Catalyst for Sustainable Performance: Unveiling the Role of Green Innovations. Sustainability (Switzerland), 16(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16041453
Abstract views: 15
/
PDF downloads: 8