Beyond Boundaries: A Global Perspective on Sustainable Human Resource Management in Asia and Other Continents

Abstract

The current study is based on a systematic literature review on sustainable human resource management (HRM). The concept of sustainable human resource management aims to achieve organizational sustainability through the involvement of employees in such initiatives. Hence, it aligns with the agenda of triple bottom line approach whereby organizations simultaneously strive for the betterment of people, profit and the planet. A parallel concept of green human resource management focuses only on the organizational efforts of environmental sustainability. This study elaborates SHRM research that has been published in the last 23 years (2001-2023) and makes a logical comparison of sustainable HRM research across various parts of the world. Moreover, the study highlights the strategic use of SHRM in the modern-day competitive business world. Overall, 148 research studies on sustainable HRM were analyzed using a systematic literature review with a time period from the year 2001 to 2023. With major developments over time, SHRM now plays a critical role for strategic positioning of companies seeking competitive advantage. China, India, Malaysia, and Brazil are some of those developing countries where SHRM research and practice have grown substantially in the recent years. In addition, this systematic literature review identified different linkages in the available literature on SHRM in Asia and rest of the world. This in-depth systematic literature review is the very first systematic comparison of Asian SHRM research with that of other continents of the world. It also highlights a number of interesting areas for further research.