Unpacking the Black Box: A Systematic Review of Psychological and Behavioral Mediators between Perceived Green HRM and Employee Engagement

Purpose: This study systematically evaluates and integrates the fragmented empirical literature mapping the internal "black box" mechanisms, both psychological and behavioral, that translate perceived Green Human Resource Management practices into multidimensional employee work engagement.Design/Methodology/Approach: This review utilizes a narrative synthesis methodology, searching five electronic databases for empirical, peer-reviewed articles (2015–2026). Following rigorous dual-reviewer screening (Cohen's kappa = 0.88), the initial 1,245 records were narrowed down to 46 quantitative or mixed-methods studies, which were validated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).Findings: Perceived Green HRM drives employee engagement (vigor, dedication, absorption) sequentially via green psychological climates, organizational identification, and voluntary citizenship behaviors. This internal cascade transitions value alignment into task absorption. Crucially, green transformational leadership positively catalyzes these pathways, whereas perceived corporate greenwashing and hypocrisy completely paralyze them, triggering psychological withdrawal.Implications/Originality/Value: This systematic review of 46 empirical studies maps how perceived Green HRM drives multi-dimensional employee engagement. The cascading "black box" mechanism operates sequentially via green climates, organizational identity, and citizenship behaviors. These pathways are catalyzed by green transformational leadership, but are completely paralyzed by perceived corporate greenwashing and hypocrisy.