Green HRM as ideological fantasy: unmasking sustainability under capitalism

Purpose This paper aims to examine how green human resource management (GHRM) operates as an ideological mechanism that sustains green capitalism. It addresses a research gap concerning the limited attention to structural, political and historical dimensions in mainstream GHRM studies, particularly in Global South contexts where sustainability discourse often obscures labour exploitation and ecological degradation. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a qualitative conceptual–critical design using critical discourse analysis (CDA), enriched by Marxian political economy and Žižek’s concept of ideological fantasy. The analysis draws on academic GHRM literature (2000–2025) and independent sustainability reports and investigations concerning the palm oil, textile, nickel and renewable energy sectors in Indonesia. CDA is used to identify three discursive mechanisms that structure contemporary GHRM discourse: depoliticization, pseudo-emancipation and global asymmetries. Findings The findings suggest that dominant strands of GHRM discourse tend to reconstruct ecological crises as technical–managerial issues solvable through employee behavioural modification, while often neglecting the capitalist structures that produce exploitation and environmental harm, although some initiatives may generate incremental environmental improvements. In many Global South contexts, GHRM functions as a legitimacy-enhancing mechanism through certifications, green training and ESG reporting despite ongoing unsafe labour conditions, land conflicts and environmental damage. Originality/value This study provides a comprehensive discursive–materialist critique of GHRM, moving beyond behavioural and functionalist approaches. The findings offer a framework for repositioning GHRM towards more emancipatory and justice-oriented trajectories – particularly those linked to ecological justice, workplace democracy and collective empowerment – while recognizing that such pathways remain context-dependent and institutionally contested.