Adoption of digital strategies across the human resource value chain

Abstract

Orientation: Digital technologies are transforming the way business functions operate, and this also applies to the human resource management (HRM) function.

Research purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine the extent to which South African organisations have adopted digital HRM strategies across the human resource (HR) value chain and the extent to which these digital strategies are perceived to contribute to the achievement of business objectives.

Motivation for the study: This study provides an indication of the trend of the adoption of digital HRM strategies and whether the digital strategies support business goals.

Research approach/design and method: A quantitative research design using a cross-sectional survey was used. Data were collected by means of a survey with a questionnaire from 312 HRM professionals and line managers in the automotive industry in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Purposive and snowball sampling was used, and data were analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), descriptive, paired-sample tests, Pearson correlations and regression analysis.

Main findings: The findings of this study indicate that Digital HRM Strategies have been moderately adopted across the HR value chain. The perceived contribution of these digital strategies towards attainment of business objectives was high.

Practical/managerial implications: Constraints such as lack of digital skills by HRM practitioners, which hinder the adoption of digital HRM strategies across the HR value chain, should be addressed.

Contribution/value-add: This research assists HRM practitioners and leaders in South Africa regarding which digital strategies to adopt to contribute to the achievement of organisational objectives.