Abstract

Sustainability has become an increasingly popular concept in relation to contemporary organiza-tional life. The current paper reviews the concept of sustainability in relation to Human Resource Management (HRM), and poses the question whether HRM can become truly sustainable. Ana-lyzing the notion of sustainability as an empty concept, this paper searches for new and radical meanings for sustainable HRM. Anchored in a radical understanding of sustainability as the protection and promotion of the dignity of people and the planet, this paper reviews the state of the art of contemporary HR systems and practices. It also positions sustainable HRM in the context of planetary survival and the role organizations may play in the transformation to sus-tainable economies. To conceptualize sustainable HRM, it is needed to integrate new meanings through postulating appealing narratives around non-capitalist sustainable living.