Digital Human Resources Management HUB

Abstract

The focus of this empirical study is to explore the importance of creating a HUB specialized in digital human resources management (HRM). Digital Hubs are collaborative networks that aim to stimulate the adoption of advanced digital technologies that promote interaction between different agents for emerging ideas, tools, and for digital networking. Furthermore, a HUB could provide an overview of digital skills and learning strategies to improve these skills to work in a digital society. The main objective of this research is to explore the role of HRH practitioners as agents of creating, acquiring and diffusing knowledge about digital HRM issues. Thus, this study intends to know several stakeholders’ opinions about the importance of the creation of a collaborative platform to manage sourcing, information, and knowledge. It uses qualitative analysis  to collect information based on an exploratory study using a focus group with a group of stakeholders (HRM professors, students, and practitioners) with an interest in the topic, through a collective semi-structured interview. The results show that it is important to create a digital HUB to enhance the use of advanced technology in the development of HRM and to facilitate the digital transformation of the different HRM stakeholders. As main activities to develop, the ones identified are: (1) to create a digital room to improve the learning of HRM students related with tools such as chatbots and avatars; (2) to do regular HRM talks to promote the sharing of new knowledge regarding digital innovations; (3) to define digital HRM working groups to create new knowledge; (4) to develop HRM entrepreneurship projects as well as (5) research projects related to digital issues; and (6) to share a digital HRM Library. We conclude by reflecting the importance of HRM digital transformation and also encourage higher education institutions to become shared and open digital learning spaces. The conclusion provides suggestions for opportunities for future research.