A quantitative and qualitative review of what meta-analyses have contributed to our understanding of human resource management

Abstract

In this paper we review the contribution that researchers have made to the field of human resource management (HRM) using the method of meta-analysis. First, we summarized results of a content analysis of the most frequently studied HRM topics and topic combinations found in 407 papers published in the major HRM peer-reviewed outlets. Specifically, we found that the most frequently studied topics were performance, attitudes, diversity/demographics, personality, withdrawal, and job characteristics. Second, we used the ISI Thomson Web of Science database to conduct a citation analysis of the 100 most impactful meta-analytic HRM papers. Among the top 10, two focused on justice and two on turnover. Third, we provided a narrative review that noted some important meta-analytic contributions to HRM knowledge. This discussion was organized according to a 2×2 framework depicting whether a paper's purpose was to test a theory or was more descriptive/exploratory, and whether a paper's purpose was mainly to cumulate effect sizes or test moderators. This narrative review provided examples that illustrates the breadth of the many contributions made with meta-analysis.