Artificial Intelligence, Green HRM, sustainability, human resource management, systematic literature review, PICo, PRISMA 2020
Abstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping the landscape of Human Resource Management (HRM), particularly in advancing environmentally sustainable practices under the umbrella of Green HRM. As digitalisation accelerates and environmental pressures intensify, the strategic use of AI in HRM has become a topic of growing scholarly interest. However, existing research remains fragmented, especially regarding how AI is operationalised in Green HR initiatives, what themes emerge, and which contextual factors influence its adoption. This systematic literature review (SLR) aims to synthesise current academic discourse and examine the contribution of AI to Green HRM. Specifically, it addresses three research questions: (1) How is AI being applied in Green HRM practices? (2) What are the main themes and patterns emerging from the literature on AI and Green HRM? (3) What contextual factors influence the integration of AI into Green HRM initiatives? Guided by the PICo framework, the review focuses on Green HR practices (Problem), AI applications (Interest), and organisational environments (Context). A comprehensive database search was conducted across Scopus, EBSCOhost, ProQuest, SpringerLink, Emerald Insight, and Google Scholar. The PRISMA 2020 methodology was employed to ensure rigour in identification, screening, and inclusion. A total of 172 peer-reviewed journal articles (2019–2025) were reviewed. Findings reveal key themes, including AI-driven green recruitment, digital learning systems, ethical concerns, leadership influence, and implementation barriers such as infrastructure and institutional readiness. This SLR offers valuable insights to inform future academic inquiry and guide practitioners and policymakers in embedding AI within sustainable HRM strategies.ReferencesAhmad, S., Javed, U., Sharma, C., & Siddiqui, M. S. (2025). Green human resource management: Analyzing sustainable practices and organizational impact through a Word2Vec approach. Green Technologies and Sustainability, 3(4), 100224. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.grets.2025.100224Al-Oun, S., & Al-Khasawneh, Z. (2025). Sustainable human resource management and career quality in public utilities: Evidence from Jordan’s electricity sector. Sustainability, 17(11), 4866. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17114866Al-Swidi, A. K., Al-Hakimi, M. A., Al Koliby, I. S., & Al-Matari, Y. A. (2024). The role of digital transformation in boosting CSR-driven green innovation among Yemeni manufacturing SMEs. Discover Sustainability, 5, 299. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00506-wAmeen, A., & Baharom, M. N. (2022). The assessment of the effect of performance appraisal purposes on employee performance in Nigerian civil service. e-Bangi: Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 16(5), 1–17. Dawra, S., Pathak, V., & Sharma, S. (2024). Artificial intelligence (AI) and green human resource management (GHRM) practices: A systemic review. Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83797-442-920241006Easubatham Armstrong Anand, J., Chandrakala, M., Reddy, A. H. H. N., & Raja Kamal, C. (2025). Sustainable GHRM through the use of artificial intelligence. In V. K. Gunjan, A. Kumar, J. M. Zurada, & S. N. Singh (Eds.), Computational intelligence in machine learning. ICCIML 2023. Lecture notes in electrical engineering (Vol. 1400). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4391-2_19Elshaer, I. A., Azazz, A. M., Mansour, A., Sameh, F., Mohamed, A., & Abuelkassem, M. A. A. (2025). Driving sustainability performance in hotels through green digital leadership and circular economy: The moderating role of hotel green efficacy. Systems, 13(6), 415. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13060415Fang, X. (2025). Blockchain applications and corporate green development: Evidence from China. Environment, Development and Sustainability. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-025-06097-4Gohain, T. T., & V. S., S. (2023). The imperative of green human resource management: Integrating sustainability in HR practices. ASCI Journal of Management, 52(2), 1–30.Gong, Y., Zhao, M., Wang, Q., & Lv, Z. (2022). Design and interactive performance of human resource management system based on artificial intelligence. PLOS ONE, 17(1), e0262398. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262398Gupta, V., & Arora, M. (2025). Green human resource management and its sustainable organizational practices in the hospitality industry in India. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 16, 7665–7687. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-024-02207-1Hao, F., Ng, W., Aman, A. M., & Zhang, C. (2025). Technology for sustainability: The impact of avatar-led green training on OCBE and green creativity. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 37(1), 140–160. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-12-2023-1927Huy, P. Q., & Phuc, V. K. (2024). Linking intelligent green accounting system with sustainable green practices in driving the sustainability performance of small and medium enterprises: Empirical evidence from an emerging country perspective. In A. T. Nguyen & L. Hens (Eds.), Global changes and sustainable development in Asian emerging market economies: Volume 1 (pp. 279–296). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-68838-6_17Jia, S., & Shang, H. (2024). Utilizing green financing in developing green HRM resources for carbon neutrality: Presenting multidimensional perspectives of China. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(6), 8798–8811. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-31560-yJohn, J. E., & Pramila, S. (2024). Integrating AI tools into HRM to promote green HRM practices. In M. S. Kaiser, J. Xie, & V. S. Rathore (Eds.), ICT: Smart systems and technologies. ICTCS 2023 (Vol. 878, pp. 259–270). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-9489-2_22Khan, A. N., & Kwan, H. K. (2025). AI, agility, and environmental performance: A new framework for construction project managers. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 151(3), 04025045. https://doi.org/10.1061/JCEMD4.COENG-14584Khan, A. N., Mehmood, K., & Ali, A. (2024). Maximizing CSR impact: Leveraging artificial intelligence and process optimization for sustainability performance management. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 31(5), 4849–4861. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2832Liang, P., Sun, X., & Qi, L. (2024). Does artificial intelligence technology enhance green transformation of enterprises? Based on green innovation perspective. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26(8), 21651–21687. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-04225-6Md Abu, I. G., Rahman, M. A., Hasan, M., & Karim, M. M. (2024). Leveraging green HRM to foster organizational agility and green culture: Pathways to enhanced sustainable social and environmental performance. Sustainability, 16(20), 8751. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16208751 Mishra, A., & Barik, R. (2024). The role of artificial intelligence in augmenting green HRM for sustainable development: A bibliometric perspective. Srusti Management Review, 17(1), 117–126.Moreira, A., Rodrigues, A. C., & Ferreira, M. R. (2025). Where is human resource management in sustainability reporting? ESG and GRI perspectives. Sustainability, 17(7), 3033. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17073033Nguyen Thi, H. H., Pham, T. T., Le, Q. V., & Tran, M. N. (2024). Green human resource management and employees’ green behavioral intention: The role of individual green values and corporate social responsibility. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 2386464. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2386464Ogbeibu, S., Jabbour, C. J. C., Goni, F. A., & Park, Y. (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.3495Sharma, C., Sakhuja, S., & Nijjer, S. (2022). Recent trends of green human resource management: Text mining and network analysis. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29, 84916–84935. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21471-9Wan Sharazad, W.S., Mazlan, N., & Abdullah, N.-A. (2023). The role of organisational commitment as mediator in the relationship between job satisfaction and turnover intention among academicians in private higher education institutions. e-Bangi: Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities, 20(1), 396–406. https://doi.org/10.17576/ebangi.2023.2001.33Wu, C., Xu, W., Lu, H., & Zheng, J. (2024). Crossing spatial boundaries: A study on the impact of green human resource management on employees’ household pro-environmental behaviors. Sustainability, 16(21), 9330. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219330