E-HR and international HRM: a critical perspective on the discursive framing of e-HR

Francis, Helen; Parkes, Carole; Reddington, Martin

Abstract

In the current global economic climate, International HRM is facing unprecedented pressure to become more innovative, effective and efficient. New discourses are emerging around the application of information technology, with ‘e-HR’ (electronic-enablement of Human Resources), self-service portals and promises of improved services couched as various HR ‘value propositions’. This study explores these issues through our engagement with the emergent stream of ‘critical’ HRM, the broader study of organizational discourse, and ethical management theories. We have found that whilst there is growing research into the take-up of e-HR applications, there is a dearth of investigation into the impact of e-HR on the people involved; in particular, the (re) structuring of social relations between HR functions and line managers in the move away from face-to-face HR support services, to more technology-mediated ‘self-service’ relationships. We undertake a close reading of personal narratives from a multi-national organization, deploying a critical discourse lens to examine different dimensions of e-HR. and raise questions about the strong technocratic framing of the international language of people management, shaping line manager enactment of e-HR duties. We argue for a more reflexive stance in the conceptualisation e-HR, and conclude with a discussion about the theoretical and practical implications of our study, limitations and suggestions for future research.

Citation

Francis, H., Parkes, C., & Reddington, M. (2014). E-HR and international HRM: a critical perspective on the discursive framing of e-HR. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 25(10), 1327-1350. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2013.870309

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jan 8, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Jan 8, 2014
• Publication Date: May 31, 2014
• Deposit Date: Jan 17, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 17, 2014
• Journal: The International Journal of Human Resource Management
• Print ISSN: 0958-5192
• Electronic ISSN: 1466-4399
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 25
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 1327-1350
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2013.870309
• Keywords: HRM; Human Resource Management; e-HR; electronic-enablement of Human Resources
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/6567
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2013.870309
• Contract Date: Jan 17, 2014