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

• Autores: Helen Francis, Carole Parkesb, Martin Reddingtona
• Localización: The International Journal of Human Resource Management, ISSN-e 1466-4399, Vol. 25, Nº. 10, 2014, págs. 1327-1350
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • 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.