A systematic literature review of the relationship between sustainable human resources management and spiritual leadership

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The process of involving sustainability in the Human Resources (HR) area, which is still a major challenge to be faced, will only occur when the leadership shares the values that influence ethics at work and have a more involved relationship with all business stakeholders. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to verify the relationship between the dimensions of Spiritual Leadership, the functional and competitive dimensions of Human Resources and Organizational Sustainability. METHODS: Through the Systematic Review Method, the available literature has been categorized based on the thematic alignment of the topics. Content analysis of 49 articles included predetermined codes verifying the most recurrent dimensions of each thematic axis. RESULTS: Among the HR functional dimensions, the one represented by training and development, assumes an intermediate role between the achievement of the intended cultural management, which can be through communication and teamwork, until reaching the organizational sustainability actions, which is the main purpose of this thematic relationship. CONCLUSIONS: This article makes a unique contribution to the existing literature on spiritual leadership and sustainable human resources management as well as reveals new avenues of in-depth research focusing specifically on the relationship of the thematic axes uncovered in the study.