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Human Resource Management in Crisis Situations: A Systematic Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Ingi Runar Edvardsson

    (School of Business, University of Iceland, 102 Reykjavík, Iceland)

  • Susanne Durst

    (Department of Business Administration, Tallinn University of Technology, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia)

Abstract

The paper aims to present a systematic literature review in the field of human resource management in times of crisis since 2008. In that way gaps in the current body of knowledge can be established that justify future research guidelines. The study consists of an analysis of 56 articles published in journals indexed in the Web of Science database. The majority of the papers were published in recent years, indicating a growing interest in the field. To be included, the papers had to be (1) peer-reviewed papers, (2) empirical papers that report on HRM practices in firms, (3) written in English, and (4) published in the period 2008–2021. Four themes were identified: economic crisis and HRM, health crisis and HRM, natural disasters and HRM, and political instability and HRM. The findings provide valuable knowledge and understanding of the present situation of HRM in crises. A number of future research guidelines are presented, which may encourage more research in this crucial field of study.

Suggested Citation

  • Ingi Runar Edvardsson & Susanne Durst, 2021. "Human Resource Management in Crisis Situations: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:22:p:12406-:d:675855
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Latukha, Marina & Dikova, Desislava & Panibratov, Andrei & Kuleshov, Nikita, 2026. "The double bind: Human resource management under sanctions and skilled labor exodus," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 35(1).
    2. Lára Jóhannsdóttir & David Cook & Sarah Kendall & Mauricio Latapí & Catherine Chambers, 2022. "Human Resource Management and Institutional Resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Case Study from the Westfjords of Iceland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-18, December.
    3. Robert Rijavec & Rok Marsetič & Irena Strnad, 2023. "Towards Optimal TMS Integration Scenario Based on HRM and SWOT Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-14, June.
    4. McGrath-Champ, Susan & Gavin, Mihajla & Fee, Anthony, 2025. "Role enactment of international human resource managers during the COVID-19 pandemic: New crisis management insights," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(4).
    5. Boyi Fu & Xinyue Liang & Xin Wen & Shuangbao Zhang & Quan Cheng, 2025. "Construction of an urban collaborative emergency response network based on a disaster chain: an example of typhoon disaster in Fujian Province," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 121(16), pages 19329-19354, September.
    6. Durst, Susanne & Davila, Andrés & Foli, Samuel & Kraus, Sascha & Cheng, Cheng-Feng, 2023. "Antecedents of technological readiness in times of crises: A comparison between before and during COVID-19," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).

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