Science mapping the knowledge base on sustainable human resource management, 1982-2019

Abstract

The increasing interest in sustainability has led to the emergence of a new research focus in the field of human resource management (HRM). HRM scholars have recently begun to explore how HRM might contribute to sustainable outcomes and coined the term 'sustainable human resource management'(S-HRM). In this bibliometric review, science mapping tools were used to examine 475 Scopus-indexed documents on S-HRM. The objectives of the review were to analyze the size, evolution, and regional distribution of this knowledge base, identify key journals, documents, as well as authors, examine the intellectual structure of this literature, and highlight topical trends. The review revealed a knowledge base that is still in the emergent phase, with a global scope but a concentration in Western developed societies. Four Schools of Thought emerged within this field. This review hopes to guide a new generation of S-HRM scholars by providing an overview of the current status of the knowledge base.