Title: Reimagining human resource management in the Metaverse era: a literature review of emerging applications and strategic implications

Authors: Hamady Dia

Addresses: School of Management and Human Potential, Walden University, 100 S Washington Ave Suite 1210, Minneapolis, MN, 55401, USA

Abstract: This integrative literature review addresses a critical gap in research concerning the strategic integration of Metaverse technologies within human resource management (HRM). Through thematic synthesis of interdisciplinary academic and industry sources, the study explores how Metaverse technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain, are reshaping core HR functions, including recruitment, training, employee engagement, and performance management. The conceptual framework combines the technology-organisation-environment (TOE) model with Davis et al. 's (2009) virtual collaboration framework to analyse both macro-level adoption drivers and micro-level engagement dynamics. While interest in Metaverse-enabled HRM is accelerating, existing literature remains fragmented, with limited attention to ethical governance, infrastructural readiness, and long-term workforce implications. This review contributes to scholarly and strategic discourse by articulating pathways for inclusive, scalable, and ethically grounded Metaverse adoption in HRM, emphasising the need for human-centred design, transparent data practices, and cross-functional collaboration to build forward-looking workplaces.

Keywords: Metaverse; human resource management; HRM; recruitment; training; performance; artificial intelligence; AI; blockchain; extended reality; XR; virtual reality; VR; augmented reality; AR.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWE.2026.154415

International Journal of Environment, Workplace and Employment, 2026 Vol.10 No.2, pp.200 - 235

Received: 19 Dec 2025
Accepted: 25 Feb 2026
Published online: 26 Jun 2026 *

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