Re-dressing the technological frames of Human Resource Information Systems

This paper explores the linkages between the normative foundation underlying the IT-enabled transformation of HR and insights out of sociology in order to bridge the gap between intentions of IT-enabled HRM and its organizational reality. I introduce the notion of HRM frames where the (IT-enabled) HR transformation in organizations influences employees’ behaviors, at the same time it is influenced by human actions. The framework gives the opportunity to step beyond traditional polarities in the HR research (like subjective vs. objective, deterministic vs. phenomenological), resulting in the analysis of underlying assumptions, values, interpretations that employees have about IT-enabled HRM in organizations. Such interpretations are central to understand the role of IT-enabled change in the HR processes and their transformation like role changes, competencies modifications, re-structuring and globalization of the HR function.