Human resource management from an Islamic perspective: a contemporary literature review

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to present a concise overview of available research work on Islamic principles related to human resource management (HRM). Design/methodology/approach - With the purpose in view, an effort was made to collect books, journal articles and research papers. The selected works cover the period from 2003 to 2014. The reason behind selection of this period is the fact that during this time, an increased emphasis on religion, particularly Islam, has been felt the world over. The ideas and inferences out of those works have been compiled in a concise and ordered form. Compilation of ideas has been thematically arranged on the basis of different areas of HRM which led to the findings of the study. Findings - Business organizations in Islamic countries or those being managed by the Muslims generally claim to follow Islamic management principles. However, practical adherence to these principles varies in various shades depending on national and organizational culture. The reviewed literature covers the theory of HRM and identifies the Islamic principles related to it. Mostly, the researchers have elaborated the Islamic guidelines related to HRM; however, a few have also ventured to find out practical application of Islamic principles and their efficacy. Research limitations/implications - Books and articles included in this review do not present wholesome picture. Although random selection from various authors and journals neutralizes the limitation to some extent, a more comprehensive review may improve the findings. Originality/value - Religion has proven to be a driving force in the display of human commitment and devotion in various forms of competitions including war. Identification of the role of religion in business can open new vistas in HRM. The glimpses of the role of Islam in business, especially HRM, included in this review can have far reaching impact.