Digital Workplace Transformation Triggers a Shift in the HR Function: From Resource Manager to Growth Catalyst

Maren Gierlich-Joas, Markus Philipp Zimmer

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Digital workplace technologies and changing demands of the workforce drive digital workplace transformation(DWT). In response to DWT, the human resources (HR) function implements people analytics (PA),which can either enable traditional HR reporting or facilitate novel personalizedemployee experiences.This either/or in leveraging PA induces a shift in the HR function’sidentity. Building upon paradox theoryand using the concept of identity, we investigate the occurring tensions in firms due to the implementation of digital workplace technologies. We use a two-staged qualitative research approach, consisting of an ethnographyat a company undergoing DWT, extended toinsights from 18 expert interviews from the field of PAfor theoretical generalization. We make two contributions. First, our findings suggest two HR identity archetypes: HR as resource managers vs. HR as growth catalyst. Second, we extend the paradoxical tension between these two archetypes to DWT literature questioning the pertinent view of identity metamorphosis.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 31st European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS)
Number of pages16
Place of PublicationAtlanta, GA
PublisherAssociation for Information Systems. AIS Electronic Library (AISeL)
Publication date2023
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Externally publishedYes
EventThe 31st European Conference on Information Systems. ECIS 2023 - University of Agder, Campus Kristiansand, Kristiansand, Norway
Duration: 11 Jun 202316 Jun 2023
Conference number: 31
https://ecis2023.no/

Conference

ConferenceThe 31st European Conference on Information Systems. ECIS 2023
Number31
LocationUniversity of Agder, Campus Kristiansand
Country/TerritoryNorway
CityKristiansand
Period11/06/202316/06/2023
Internet address
SeriesProceedings of the European Conference on Information Systems
ISSN0000-0034

Keywords

  • Digital workplace transformation
  • Digital transformation
  • Identity shift
  • People analytics
  • Qualitative research

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