Moving Beyond Automation: A Framework and Research Agenda Studying the Role of Information Systems in e-HR

Building on Zuboff’s (1985) concepts of the “automating” and “informating” effects of information technology, this study develops a framework that identifies the major areas in which information technology (IT) has the potential to transform the practice and delivery of human resource (HR) management. The framework briefly outlines how a human resource information system (HRIS) assists in the automation of HR processes and supports better information gathering and decision making by managers and HR professionals. Then, using the recruiting function of human resources, the manuscript illustrates how this framework can be used to inform HRIS research and identify gaps in the HRIS literature. This study concludes with a discussion of research questions, which, if examined, will help inform researchers as they study the use of IT to support the firms’ HR function