Look Back and Leap Forward: A Review of Human Resources Analytics Literature

Abstract

While HR analytics has seen a dramatic increase in scholarly attention over the last decade, the lack of a system narrative motivated us to construct a literature review on this topic. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive review of 68 published, peer-reviewed articles on HR analytics spanning from1975 to 2020. We extend HR analytics literature in several ways. First, we map the nomological network of HR analytics in relation to its measures, theory foundations, antecedents, and outcomes. Second, we propose a “PAIL” model, which consists of 15 elements in four categories, to refine the framework of the determinants of HR analytics implementation success. Third, we offer an overall summary of how HR analytics can be applied to HR practices. Finally, we present a detailed agenda for future research. Our review paints a holistic picture of the existing literature and how HR analytics should proceed into the future.