Transforming human resources management in the age of Industry 4.0: a matter of survival for HR professionals

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to contribute to the old debate about the need for transformation of human resource (HR) professionals and HR services. It proposes the advent of people analytics as an unprecedented opportunity to support this transformation toward a more strategic positioning.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper carried out a review of the use or willingness to use analytics by HR professionals.

Findings

Although HR professionals have been able to transform themselves over the years from a posture largely dominated by the administrative role, to one that includes compliance, the transformation remains insufficient considering the challenges faced by organizations. The advent of the fourth industrial revolution has put people back at the center of organizations’ concerns, but HR seems to be neither equipped nor ready to seize this unprecedented opportunity to play a more strategic role.

Originality/value

Transforming human resource management to fit Industry 4.0 is not a necessity, but a matter of survival for HR professionals.

Citation

Poba-Nzaou, P., Galani, M. and Tchibozo, A. (2020), "Transforming human resources management in the age of Industry 4.0: a matter of survival for HR professionals", Strategic HR Review, Vol. 19 No. 6, pp. 273-278. https://doi.org/10.1108/SHR-06-2020-0055