Driving Circular Economy Transitions Through Strategic Green <scp>HRM</scp> and <scp>CSR</scp> : Insights From Manufacturing Industries

ABSTRACT This study examines how the strategic alignment of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Green Human Resource Management (Green HRM) strengthens circular economy implementation, focusing specifically on downstream practices of recycling and product refurbishment in manufacturing industries. Drawing on Human Capital Theory (HCT) and Circular Economy (CE) theory, we assess how sustainability‐oriented recruitment and recycling/refurbishment‐focused training influence employee engagement and, in turn, organizational performance in recycling and refurbished product initiatives. Survey data were collected from 400 HR managers in Gujarat, India, and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS‐SEM). The findings show that both recruitment and training positively affect organizational performance, with employee engagement serving as a significant mediating mechanism. By clarifying a human capital–based pathway for downstream circular implementation, the study extends Green HRM and CE research and offers practical guidance for HR leaders and policymakers in emerging economies seeking to strengthen recycling and refurbishment outcomes through CSR‐aligned workforce strategies.