Title: A bibliometric cartography on the evolution of sustainable training from the classical era to the emerging trends era: global research trend and future pathway

Authors: M.H. Raamkhumar

Addresses: NSB Academy, Bangalore, Karnataka, 560099, India

Abstract: The schema of global sustainability discourse is gradually extending into human capital development. This secular adaptation named sustainable training is one area that interfaces environmental awareness on the one hand with organisational learning on the other. The intellectual gestalt of and the thematic turn being taken by the studies in sustainable training are largely unexplored. This study offers a comprehensive bibliometric cartography that aims to offer a picture of global research activity on the subject of sustainable and green training, from the inception of the concept in the early 20th century until its modern developments. The analysis employed performance, the matic and science mapping approaches to identify scientific patterns, trends, and future directions. The findings demonstrate a series of three evolutionary phases: an embryonic one dominated indeed by conceptualisation, a formative one in which green HRM significantly intervened, and finally an emergent phase witnessing an integration of sustainability practices in harmony with the digital transformation and SDGs.

Keywords: sustainable training; green training; training evolution; bibliometrics; trend mapping; science mapping.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGSB.2025.150121

International Journal of Globalisation and Small Business, 2025 Vol.15 No.2, pp.222 - 244

Received: 20 May 2025
Accepted: 31 Jul 2025

Published online: 01 Dec 2025 *

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