Research Approaches in e-HRM: Categorisation and Analysis

Electronic Human Resource Management (e-HRM) is a new interdisciplinary field of research at the intersection of Human Resources (HR) and Information Systems (IS). Research in e-HRM is currently based on diverse research approaches from HR and IS, its “parent disciplines”, as well as other disciplines. The frequent implicitness and thus uncertainty of the used research approaches, however, is disadvantageous for future e-HRM research because it obstructs a conscious and instructed selection and adoption of research approaches as well as mutual understanding and cooperation between different research approaches. The current chapter thus aims to categorise (which approaches are available?) and analyse (which characteristics and potential do these approaches demonstrate?) e-HRM research approaches. To this end, a brief framework of conceptual criteria is derived that allows research approaches in e-HRM to be categorised and analysed. Based on this, a categorisation and analysis of four major approaches, i.e., critical research, interpretive research, post-positive research and design research, is offered, and the possibilities for adopting these approaches in e-HRM research are described.