Toward Conceptual Clarity in Sustainable Human Resource Management: A Systematic Review of Definitions, Operationalisations and Outcomes

Sustainable Human Resource Management (SustHRM) has attracted growing scholarly attention, yet substantial variation remains in how the construct is defined and empirically examined. This systematic literature review assesses the conceptual clarity of SustHRM by synthesizing 148 peer‐reviewed articles. Definitions show partial convergence around a triple bottom line perspective and a broadened impact scope. However, this conceptual convergence is not consistently reflected in empirical research. SustHRM is predominantly measured through established HR practices directed toward sustainability‐related objectives and examined as an antecedent of individual‐ and organizational‐level outcomes, while team and societal outcomes remain underexplored. By comparing SustHRM's definitions, operationalizations, theoretical framing, levels of analysis, and nomological positioning, the review identifies constraints for conceptual clarity. We propose a research agenda focused on defining criteria, developing coherent and context‐sensitive operationalisations, theoretical integration across HRM and sustainability, and system‐level and long‐term dynamics.