Exploring the Work of Human Resource Professionals
This special issue (SI) aims to deepen our understanding of Human Resource Management (HRM) and Human Resource Development (HRD) as practice, highlighting HR professionals’ daily work, actions, and decision-making processes. By focusing on HRM as a practice, the special issue seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical frameworks and the lived realities of HR work. It intends to illuminate the complex, nuanced ways HR professionals contribute to organizational goals, facilitate employee development, and address dynamic workplace challenges. Contributions on how HR professionals are experiencing the challenges and opportunities associated with AI’s growing influence across HR functions are particularly welcome.
To achieve these aims, the SI invites papers that explore diverse perspectives and methodologies, including qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods studies, literature reviews and conceptual papers that analyze the day-to-day activities of HR practitioners.
The need for this SI is underscored by a growing recognition within HRM and HRD literature of examining HR as a lived, practice-based field. Additionally, societal trends, such as AI, hybrid work environments, digitalization, evolving workforce expectations, and enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), with ever-increased focus on neurodiverse and refugee employees, place new demands on HR professionals, intensifying their need to navigate complexities in organizations.
List of Topic Areas
- DAILY PRACTICES AND CORE FUNCTIONS OF HR HUMAN
- RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, EMPLOYEE SUPPORT AND WELLBEING
- HR’S ROLE IN ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE AND ADAPTABIILTY
- PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL DEVELOPMENT IN HR
- PROFESSIONAL IDENTITY AND ROLE NAVIGATION
