An Evidence-Based Review of E-HRM and Strategic Human Re- source Management

One stated purpose of electronic human resource management (eHRM) is to make the entire HRM function more strategic. The goal of this paper is to examine recent research in e-HRM to evaluate the cumulated evidence on the relationship between strategic HRM and e-HRM, and to provide evidence-based guidance to practitioners and researchers. Specifically, we examine evidence of a relationship between e-HRM and strategic HR, the direction of the relationship, and the resources or contexts important for the e-HRM and strategic HR relationship to exist. We review 20 studies published from 2007-2009 using integrative synthesis as our evidence-based methodology. Results reveal that few e-HRM empirical studies have explicitly examined strategic issues. Less than half the studies are at a macro-level of analysis, which is a key distinguishing feature of research conducted in the strategic HRM domain. Furthermore, most research only examines the relationship between e-HRM and perceived strategic effectiveness of HRM. None directly examine other strategic outcomes. Our review highlights the need for more empirical studies on eHRM and strategic HRM outcomes at a macro level.