THE ROLE OF GREEN HRM AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY ON CIRCULAR BUSINESS PRACTICES: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF GREEN INNOVATION AND ECOSYSTEM COLLABORATION

Povzetek

This study systematically reviews the role of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) and Environmental Strategy (ES) in fostering circular business practices (CBPs), with particular attention to the mediating role of Green Innovation (GI) and the enabling role of Ecosystem Collaboration (EC). A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA protocol, screening 2,302 records and retaining 100 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2025 in Scopus and Web of Science. Bibliometric mapping using VOSviewer was employed to identify thematic clusters, influential works, and publication trends. The review highlights three dominant research clusters: (1) GHRM and employee sustainability behavior, (2) ES and green innovation, and (3) ecosystem collaboration in circular ecosystems. Results show a steady growth of publications, concentrated in leading sustainability and management journals, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as a recurring research context. Highly cited studies emphasize that GI mediates the GHRM–ES link, while EC accelerates the diffusion and scaling of CBPs. By integrating previously fragmented insights, this study develops a holistic framework linking GHRM, ES, GI, and EC to circular business practices. The review advances the resource-based view and dynamic capability theory, while offering actionable implications for managers, SMEs, and policymakers in advancing the circular economy.