Information technology competencies for entry-level human resource strategic partners
Orientation: Advances in information technology (IT) have prompted the transition of the human resource management (HRM) function from being administrative to strategic. Whilst it has been established that IT has an important role in such a transition, it is not clear to what extent the development...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2021-05-01
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| Series: | SA Journal of Human Resource Management |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/1327 |
| _version_ | 1828490320988340224 |
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| author | Renjini M. Joseph Adele Thomas Penny Abbott |
| author_facet | Renjini M. Joseph Adele Thomas Penny Abbott |
| author_sort | Renjini M. Joseph |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Orientation: Advances in information technology (IT) have prompted the transition of the human resource management (HRM) function from being administrative to strategic. Whilst it has been established that IT has an important role in such a transition, it is not clear to what extent the development of IT competencies would enable HRM professionals to be strategic.
Research purpose: The purpose of the article is to determine the IT competencies that will enable entry-level South African HRM professionals to be strategic partners to business.
Motivation for the study: The findings of this study will contribute to the effective use of HR technology, thereby mitigating risk and enriching the role of the HR function in local organisations. The use of technology within the HRM function can be enhanced leading to improved data-driven people decisions.
Research approach, design and method: A quantitative research design using a cross-sectional survey was employed. Data collected from 252 HR professionals were analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Multiple regression was used to establish the relationship between the identified factors and strategic business partnering.
Main findings: The results produced a three-factor model consisting of: (1) technologising employee processes, (2) processing data expertly and (3) translating external trends. These factors explained 34% of the variance in strategic business partnering.
Practical implications: The results of this study have implications for organisations with HRM functions and for higher education institutions (HEIs) offering HRM qualifications. Organisations should utilise the identified competencies when hiring and developing entry-level strategic HRM business partners. Higher education institutions should develop curriculum that would prepare graduates to be effective HRM professionals.
Contributions or value-add: This study adds to the limited research on IT competencies required of HRM professionals to contribute as strategic business partners. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T10:41:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9b318de19d804196b7a092554eaf8e49 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1683-7584 2071-078X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T10:41:44Z |
| publishDate | 2021-05-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | SA Journal of Human Resource Management |
| spelling | doaj.art-9b318de19d804196b7a092554eaf8e492022-12-22T01:10:34ZengAOSISSA Journal of Human Resource Management1683-75842071-078X2021-05-01190e1e1210.4102/sajhrm.v19i0.1327599Information technology competencies for entry-level human resource strategic partnersRenjini M. Joseph0Adele Thomas1Penny Abbott2Department of Industrial Psychology and People Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgDepartment of Industrial Psychology and People Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgDepartment of Industrial Psychology and People Management, College of Business and Economics, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgOrientation: Advances in information technology (IT) have prompted the transition of the human resource management (HRM) function from being administrative to strategic. Whilst it has been established that IT has an important role in such a transition, it is not clear to what extent the development of IT competencies would enable HRM professionals to be strategic. Research purpose: The purpose of the article is to determine the IT competencies that will enable entry-level South African HRM professionals to be strategic partners to business. Motivation for the study: The findings of this study will contribute to the effective use of HR technology, thereby mitigating risk and enriching the role of the HR function in local organisations. The use of technology within the HRM function can be enhanced leading to improved data-driven people decisions. Research approach, design and method: A quantitative research design using a cross-sectional survey was employed. Data collected from 252 HR professionals were analysed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Multiple regression was used to establish the relationship between the identified factors and strategic business partnering. Main findings: The results produced a three-factor model consisting of: (1) technologising employee processes, (2) processing data expertly and (3) translating external trends. These factors explained 34% of the variance in strategic business partnering. Practical implications: The results of this study have implications for organisations with HRM functions and for higher education institutions (HEIs) offering HRM qualifications. Organisations should utilise the identified competencies when hiring and developing entry-level strategic HRM business partners. Higher education institutions should develop curriculum that would prepare graduates to be effective HRM professionals. Contributions or value-add: This study adds to the limited research on IT competencies required of HRM professionals to contribute as strategic business partners.https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/1327human resource business partnersexploratory factor analysishuman resource graduatehuman resource managementhuman resource education |
| spellingShingle | Renjini M. Joseph Adele Thomas Penny Abbott Information technology competencies for entry-level human resource strategic partners SA Journal of Human Resource Management human resource business partners exploratory factor analysis human resource graduate human resource management human resource education |
| title | Information technology competencies for entry-level human resource strategic partners |
| title_full | Information technology competencies for entry-level human resource strategic partners |
| title_fullStr | Information technology competencies for entry-level human resource strategic partners |
| title_full_unstemmed | Information technology competencies for entry-level human resource strategic partners |
| title_short | Information technology competencies for entry-level human resource strategic partners |
| title_sort | information technology competencies for entry level human resource strategic partners |
| topic | human resource business partners exploratory factor analysis human resource graduate human resource management human resource education |
| url | https://sajhrm.co.za/index.php/sajhrm/article/view/1327 |
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