What is the role of dialogue in HRM according to the emerging sustainable HRM literature?

Answer from top 10 papers

Dialogue in HRM is conceptually positioned as a mechanism to address paradoxical tensions and pluralist workforces within the emerging sustainable HRM literature. It is seen as a means to facilitate self-organization, nonlinearity, attractors, and emergence, which are core concepts of complexity thinking (Nuis et al., 2021). This positioning is intentional and dynamic, recognizing dialogue as both a continuous process and a deliberate practice that can influence local patterns and power dynamics within organizations. The conceptual model presented in Nuis et al. (2021) underscores the dual nature of dialogue—both intended and continuous—and its role in fostering stability and novelty in the context of sustainable HRM.
Interestingly, while dialogue is highlighted as a silver bullet in Nuis et al. (2021), the other papers do not explicitly discuss dialogue in their conceptual frameworks. Instead, they focus on various aspects of HRM, such as the impact of disruptive technologies (Huseynova, 2022), the link between HRM practices and organizational outcomes (Prokopenko et al., 2023), and the influence of HRM on employee attitudes (Alrawashdeh et al., 2022). These studies suggest that while dialogue may be an important aspect of HRM, it is not the sole focus within the broader HRM literature.
In summary, dialogue is conceptually positioned within HRM as a strategic tool to manage complexity and foster positive outcomes in organizations. It is seen as both an ongoing process and a targeted intervention that can shape power relations and organizational dynamics. Although dialogue is not the central theme in all HRM literature, its importance in addressing the challenges of sustainable HRM is clearly articulated in Nuis et al. (2021).

Source Papers

Dialogues in Sustainable HRM: Examining and Positioning Intended and Continuous Dialogue in Sustainable HRM Using a Complexity Thinking Approach

In the emerging sustainable Human Resource Management (HRM) literature, advocating to ‘rehumanize’ and pluralize HRM, dialogue is put forward as a silver bullet to cope with paradoxical tensions and pluralist workforces. This conceptual paper aims to add to the sustainable HRM literature by examining the position and application of dialogue within sustainable HRM, using ideas and concepts from dialogue literature and complexity thinking. We applied core concepts of complexity thinking (i.e., self-organization, nonlinearity, attractors, and emergence) to deepen our understanding of the positioning of dialogue, the position of power, and the emergence of intended and unintended outcomes. Moreover, through the distinction between intentional and continuous dialogue, the intentional, dynamic, and emergent nature of dialogue was explored. Connecting, sensing, grasping, and influencing the local patterning of continuous dialogue is important for positioning dialogue within sustainable HRM, and intentional dialogical practices can support this. More specifically, based on our literature review, we present a conceptual model that furthers our understanding of (1) conceptualizations of dialogue as both intended and continuous; (2) the role of power in dialogue; (3) how stability and novelty emerge from dialogue. The paper concludes by discussing the implications of the developed perspectives on dialogue for future research as well as management practices.

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Open Access
Disruptive technologies for human resource management: a conceptual framework development and research agenda

PurposeDisruptive technologies for human resource management (HRM) lack evidence about synthesizing its antecedents and outcomes in the empirical research landscape. This review study was conducted addressing two objectives: (1) to identify the themes of HRM technology empirically researched and (2) to develop a conceptual framework for the antecedents and outcomes of disruptive technologies for HRM.Design/methodology/approachThis article was positioned as a literature review based on the systematic literature review (SLR) methodology. Seventeen articles published between 2000 and 2020 were included for the review from Scopus and LENS.ORG databases. The article screening, inclusion and analysis and findings reporting were based on the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA).FindingsIn addressing the first objective, the review found that the electronic human resource management (E-HRM) intention and communication technology support impact E-HRM adoption, resulting in many outcomes. The outcomes include HRM service quality, organizational effectiveness, employee productivity and competitive advantage. In addressing the study's second objective, a conceptual framework was developed based on the gaps identified regarding the determinants and positive outcomes of disruptive technologies for HRM. Thus, the conceptual framework was presented from two perspectives. The perspectives were deduced with review results and theoretical grounds.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings related to the two objectives provide theoretical and practical implications. One significant practical implication is that action and work-based learning of managers and employees in organizations may suggest adopting disruptive technologies for HRM. Thus future studies can focus on them as determinants of adopting disruptive technologies for HRM to conduct empirical tests. Besides, the findings provide some other future research directions.Originality/valueThe study found empirically proven determinants of E-HRM intention and communication technology support impact E-HRM adoption, which results in many positive outcomes. These were synthesized based on the studies conducted during the period 2000–2020. This synthesis and theoretical grounding deduced a conceptual framework for determinants and outcomes of disruptive technologies for HRM.

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Open Access