Chapter 1
Evolution of Human REsouRcE managEmEnt and Human REsouRcE infoRmation systEms
The Role of InfoRmaTIon Technology
Mohan ThiTe, Michael J. Kavanagh, and RichaRd d. Johnson

EDITORS’ NOTE
The purpose of this chapter is to provide an introduction to the fields of human resource management (HRM) and information technology (IT) and to the combination of these two fields into human resource information systems (HRIS). The history of the field of HRM and the impact of computer technology on HRM will be covered, as well as the advent of using a human resource information system and the subsequent effects on both HR and IT professionals. The different types of HR activities will be discussed as well as the different types of information systems used in HRIS. A central focus of this chapter is the use in managerial decision making of results and reports from an HRIS. The development of the HRIS field has been seen to have a significant impact on the emergence of strategic human resource management (Strategic HRM), as is discussed in this chapter. This first chapter will lay the groundwork for the remainder of this book, and, consequently, it is important to understand thoroughly the concepts and ideas it presents. This chapter contains definitions for a number of terms in common use in the HRM, IT, and HRIS fields. (Note that a glossary defining these terms is also provided at the back of this book.) The central themes

2

Chapter 1 Evolution of Human Resource Management and HRIS

3

of this book in terms of the development, implementation, and use of an HRIS will also be discussed. A model of organizational functioning that shows the relationship of human resources management to the strategic planning of an organization with an emphasis on the use of an HRIS will be covered too. An overview of the entire book will be presented here as well, one