Perspectives on Human Resource Management: an explorative study of the consequences of projectification in four firms

Abstract

Various forms of project-based organisational structures are on the rise. A number of recent empirical studies have emphasised the important role of Human Resource Management (HRM) in the understanding of the modern projectified firm. However, previous research has not analysed in any greater detail what implications projectification have for HRM. In our attempt to contribute to the intersection between project-based firms and human resource management, this paper zeros in on the challenges facing HRM in four large Swedish firms. We address the following questions: How has HRM changed due to the increasing projectification observed in the firms under study? What are the major challenges to the HRM practice observed in the case studies? We suggest a four-perspective model for the analysis of the identified changes of, and challenges for, current HRM practice. The perspectives include competence, trust, change and individuals. Based on these perspectives, we identify some key questions for HRM and suggest an analytical framework for the analysis of the change of HRM and the new roles of HRM given the increased projectification observed in the case-study companies.