An examination of e-HRM as a means to increase the value of the HR function

Abstract

This article examines the potential use of e-human resource management (e-HRM) as a means to increase the value of the human resources (HR) function, within the framework of the resource-based view. Past research has suggested that e-HRM may support the HR function in becoming more efficient, improving service delivery and adopting a greater role in delivering the firm's business strategy. The results from a large-scale survey across 12 countries showed that e-HRM may help HR to increase its value by becoming more strategic, but found no evidence of cost savings due to reductions in HR headcount. This suggests that organisations are using e-HRM in order to redeploy HR practitioners from transactional work to more strategic and value-added activities.

Keywords:

• e-HRM
• HR function
• resource-based view