The evolution of human resource roles in business: a systematic literature review from origins to the present

Human resource management has undergone significant changes in response to the evolving business environment. The concept of HR roles has evolved considerably over the past four decades due to advancements in technology, shifts in industry dynamics, and the increasing scale of operations. This study summarises the key studies on HR roles and their evolution over time. As business operations change, the role of human resources also transforms, and the literature on HR roles adapts accordingly. The objective of this study is to capture the evolution of HR roles through a systematic literature review. It highlights three major themes: traditional human resource management, strategic human resource management, and international human resource management. The purpose of this research paper is to identify gaps in the existing literature on HR roles and to encourage further scholarly exploration in those areas. The study has also highlighted recent developments in human resource management sector post COVID-19 and the implementation of artificial intelligence in human resource management which should be studied in the future to understand upcoming changes in human resource roles.