Adoption of HRIS in the Public Organizations: Institutional Logics Perspective

Abstract

This study explored the adoption, benefits, and challenges of HRIS in a public organization in Pakistan. Using the case study approach, qualitative data was collected through in-depth interviews at various levels in a hierarchy. The study found that the organization could not achieve the benefits of HRIS as established in the literature. The adoption of HRIS remained quite slow and resulted in parallel systems (manual and automated) in the organization. In light of institutional logics perspective, the organization is struggling with contradictory pressures from the new logic of HRIS and the previous logic of manual HR system, which is costly for the organization. Out of various barriers identified, in the adoption of HRIS, the most crucial are lack of top management support and less technical knowledge to use the new system. The findings implied that mere adoption of HRIS could not produce the desired results until serious efforts were made for its successful implementation.