The role of human resource practices in the implementation of digital transformation

Álvaro Nicolás-Agustín, Daniel Jiménez-Jiménez and Francisco Maeso-Fernandez

International Journal of Manpower, 2021, vol. 43, issue 2, 395-410

Abstract: Purpose - Professionals and academics need to know what human resource practices are necessary in this Industry 4.0 environment and digital revolution. This research studies some human resource practices in the digital age that favor the implementation of digital transformation. The authors’ arguments suggest that for personnel to be a key asset in digital transformation processes, a strategic alignment is necessary to drive the company toward these objectives. Design/methodology/approach - The hypotheses were tested in a representative sample of 184 manufacturing companies with ten or more employees located in the southeast of Spain, using partial least squares. Findings - The authors’ findings show that human resource practices partially mediate the relationship between strategic alignment and digital transformation. Based on the contingent approach, the authors also maintain that the company must implement human resource practices that encourage employee behaviors that are consistent with the organization's strategy. This strategic alignment and these human resource practices enable companies to achieve digital transformation in search of superior performance. Research limitations/implications - Longitudinal and multilevel studies could increase the strength of the research, which could also include companies from other sectors. Although the technology component is fundamental in digital transformation processes, human capital management is even more important. This research highlights the mediating role of human resource management, where practices such as teleworking, teamwork and employee engagement are essential to foster innovative behavior and implement the digital transformation process. Practical implications - In the new digital environment, companies must adopt a set of human resource practices that favor innovative employee behavior that helps digitally transform their businesses. Originality/value - To the best of authors’ knowledge, this empirical study has not been previously carried out. The theoretical model and hypothesis testing provide strategic value for understanding some of the determinants of digital transformation in relation to human resource management.

Keywords: Strategic alignment; Human resource practices; Innovative work behavior; Digital transformation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.110 ... d&utm_campaign=repec (text/html)
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.110 ... d&utm_campaign=repec (application/pdf)
Access to full text is restricted to subscribers

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:ijmpps:ijm-03-2021-0176

DOI: 10.1108/IJM-03-2021-0176

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Manpower is currently edited by Professor Adrian Ziderman

More articles in International Journal of Manpower from Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Emerald Support ().