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Configurations of e-HRM – an empirical exploration

Stefan Strohmeier (Chair of Management Information Systems, Saarland University, Saarbruecken, Germany)
Ruediger Kabst (Department of International Business, University of Paderborn, Paderborn, Germany)

Employee Relations

ISSN: 0142-5455

Article publication date: 27 May 2014

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate types, contexts and consequences of electronic HRM (e-HRM) configurations to get a deeper understanding of the reasons, kinds and success of different e-HRM types.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses a cross-sectional survey of senior HR persons and analyses data with exploratory methods, i.e. cluster analysis, classification tree analysis and analysis of variance.

Findings

The results show that actually three configurations of e-HRM – “non users”, “operational users” and “power users” – exist. These can be explained by a sparse, yet meaningful set of contextual variables. All three configurations markedly contribute to organisational success, whereas the “power user”-configuration exceeds the other configurations.

Research limitations/implications

The employed e-HRM typology shows a precursory status and the empirical study is exploratory in nature. Thus, searching for a clearer theoretical foundation, improving the hypothesising of variables and undertaking further empirical studies to replicate the findings are necessary future steps.

Practical implications

Not always a maximum of electronic support seems to be indicated. Depending on the respective organisational context, even no electronic support, or else, a merely operational electronic support appears to be admissible; while, however, in larger and strategic-oriented organisations full electronic support outperforms other configurations.

Originality/value:

–The paper focuses on different e-HRM types and gives some first insights into reasons, kinds and success of different configurations. This should lead to a refined understanding of e-HRM and evoke further research on the subject.

Keywords

Citation

Strohmeier, S. and Kabst, R. (2014), "Configurations of e-HRM – an empirical exploration", Employee Relations, Vol. 36 No. 4, pp. 333-353. https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-07-2013-0082

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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