COVID-19 and human resource management research: current status and future directions

Nasser Fathi Easa, Michael Wang and Rayan Mohammed Abdul-Al

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2025, vol. 41, issue 3, 228-249

Abstract: COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly created a complex and difficult environment for leaders and human resource management (HRM) professionals in coping with these unprecedented challenges. In this context, there are very few studies on the impact of COVID-19 on HRM. Therefore, this paper aims to review the existing literature on this topic to expand the current knowledge, detect research gaps and offer a foundation for future research in this area preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) technique was followed for this review. Different academic databases were searched, e.g., Wiley, Emerald Insight, Taylor & Francis, SpringerLink, Cambridge Core, and ScienceDirect. A total of 43 articles published in 2020 and 2021 were reviewed. Findings show that research on COVID-19 and HRM was linked to five major themes: leadership, employee performance, employee mental health, employee well-being, and job insecurity. Scholars gave high concern to leadership, a moderate concern to employee performance and mental health, and a low concern to employee well-being and Job insecurity. The paper provides directions for future research.

Keywords: COVID-19; human resource management; HRM; leadership; systematic review and meta-analysis. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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