Emerging HRM Trends

Abstract

Human Resource Management (HRM) is a universal consideration, and regardless of their type, almost all problems faced by organizations can, at least partially, be addressed through sound HRM. Emerging HRM trends refer to new developments or general patterns of change that are becoming increasingly visible in the field. Most of these trends are driven by broader business shifts such as globalization, technological advancement, demographic changes, and the growing emphasis on sustainability. In the 21st century, the role of HRM has evolved significantly from the traditional personnel function to a strategic role, then to a participative approach, and finally to a sustainability-oriented paradigm. Today’s HRM is vast, indispensable, business-driven, and sustainability-driven, constituting both a pure and an applied field of study and practice.

The objective of this research paper is to briefly identify and discuss key emerging HRM trends. While numerous trends merit attention, this paper will focus on eleven trends which are perceived as major ones: Hybrid and Flexible Working Arrangements, Greening in HRM, Employee Ethicality and Ethicality in HRM, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Digital HRM, HRM Analytics, Employee Happiness and Holistic Well-being, Economic HRM and High-Performance Organization through HRM, Presenteeism, and Quiet Quitting.

Other notable trends not covered in this paper include work–life integration, knowledge management, HRM in mergers and acquisitions, managing call centre employees, robotics in HRM, and managing nomads. While these trends pose both challenges and opportunities for HRM professionals, they can be managed in ways that generate substantial benefits for all stakeholders. Challenges should be viewed as opportunities that can be efficiently and effectively capitalized on through appropriate thoughts and appropriate actions. In this era of unprecedented disruption and possibility, our role is to anticipate trends, embrace innovation, and humanize almost every transformation. The true measure of HRM’s success will not only be how well we manage processes, but how profoundly we elevate people, because only then it is possible for organizations to achieve sustainable excellence.

Key Words: Emerging Trends, Future, Human Resource Management, Sustainable HRM