Abstract
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 1327-1350 |
Number of pages | 24 |
Journal | International Journal of Human Resource Management |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 10 |
Early online date | 8 Jan 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2014 |
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Keywords
- critical discourse analysis; e-HR; ethics; innovation; language; relationships and IHRM; voice
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E-HR and international HRM : a critical perspective on the discursive framing of e-HR. / Francis, Helen (Lead / Corresponding author); Parkes, Carole; Reddington, Martin.
In: International Journal of Human Resource Management, Vol. 25, No. 10, 2014, p. 1327-1350.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - E-HR and international HRM
T2 - a critical perspective on the discursive framing of e-HR
AU - Francis, Helen
AU - Parkes, Carole
AU - Reddington, Martin
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - 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 while 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 multinational 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 conceptualization e-HR, and conclude with a discussion about the theoretical and practical implications of our study, limitations and suggestions for future research.
AB - 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 while 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 multinational 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 conceptualization e-HR, and conclude with a discussion about the theoretical and practical implications of our study, limitations and suggestions for future research.
KW - critical discourse analysis; e-HR; ethics; innovation; language; relationships and IHRM; voice
U2 - 10.1080/09585192.2013.870309
DO - 10.1080/09585192.2013.870309
M3 - Article
VL - 25
SP - 1327
EP - 1350
JO - International Journal of Human Resource Management
JF - International Journal of Human Resource Management
SN - 0958-5192
IS - 10
ER -