Emergence of HRM in organizations: an exploratory study

Abstract

A review of existing literature suggests that studies concerning the contextualized nature of HRM (Human Resource Management) and, in particular, the process by which an HRM system emerges in organizations are significantly less. Further, literature also indicates that the Emergence of organizational entities or how an HRM comes into being remains underexplored, prompting an inquiry to understand Emergence of HRM. We used criteria like the state of theory development and the research question's nature to identify the most appropriate methodology, which is an inductive approach using a multiple case study method. A detailed case study design is prepared to ensure reliability. The design includes criteria for selecting cases, the process of data collection, the type of data analysis, and the form of data representation that was followed. A brief note on the interview guidelines, question development, and quality criteria was prepared and ensured. Three firms from different industry sectors were studied. Data include detailed interviews of selected managers from the HRM department, conducted across several sessions and archival information related to HRM. Cumulative from all research questions, thirty-eight empirical categories emerged. These categories are grouped into three theoretical aggregates under each research question. Further, the data indicate that an HRM system's Emergence involves activities related to learning, adaptation, and stabilization.