Theory for the HRM discipline: where have we been and where are we going?

Abstract

The introductory chapter for the edited book titled A Guide to Key Theories for Human Resource Management Research details the scope and purpose of the book which was to provide a resource that advanced Master’s thesis students, PhD candidates, and early and mid-career academic researchers can access for brief summaries of the major theories that have been and continue to be used for human resource management (HRM) research. The chapter highlights that, in explaining the theories concisely, researchers can relatively quickly read an overview of a range of theories (and then read further from a list of suggested key readings) in order to determine the theory/ies that they will engage with more thoroughly in their research project/s. The chapter also shows the rationale for a book that provides opportunities for researchers to consider interrelationships between theory and practice and choose the most suitable theory/ies for their topic of enquiry. After briefly examining the origins of HRM, the chapter expounds the reasoning for increasing knowledge and use of theory in HRM research (which also draws on theories developed in other disciplines including economies, psychology, politics, and sociology). The chapter details the procedure for selecting theories for inclusion in the book and how they contribute to knowledge in the HRM discipline. The chapter also explains the purpose of the common structure of the entries in the book which define a particular theory/ies, elaborate on how the theory developed thematically or chronologically, demonstrate how the theory has been applied for HRM research, and provide suggestions for using the theory for future research.