The (ir)relevance of human resource management in independent work: Challenging assumptions
The (ir)relevance of human resource management in independent work: Challenging assumptions
We challenge the assumption that independent workers are not relevant to or within the remit of HRM practice and theory. Traditionally, HR focusses on the management of employees within the boundaries of the organisation. Yet, this neglects the wider role that HR can and must have in the management of human work that the organisation needs yet exists beyond these boundaries. We argue for the ‘Human’ in HRM to include independent workers. We first contextualise them, highlight the reasons for neglect, and examine and provoke three key areas. We set out the taken for granted, problematise, and then show how they are relevant, look different, or could be. Through this, we provoke exactly what HR does, where it starts and finishes, and its role in a network or ecosystem rather than purely an organisation. We close by offering ways of making this happen for both theory and practice.
HR practices, HR profession, boundaries of control, collective rights, contract of employment, gig economy, independent workers
Cross, David
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Swart, Juani
ecd832c7-e558-4dc1-99c4-088fb5e0a786
Cross, David
a240c578-1f07-45d8-b2f5-a61d71ec061d
Swart, Juani
ecd832c7-e558-4dc1-99c4-088fb5e0a786
Cross, David and Swart, Juani
(2021)
The (ir)relevance of human resource management in independent work: Challenging assumptions.
Human Resource Management Journal.
(doi:10.1111/1748-8583.12389).
Abstract
We challenge the assumption that independent workers are not relevant to or within the remit of HRM practice and theory. Traditionally, HR focusses on the management of employees within the boundaries of the organisation. Yet, this neglects the wider role that HR can and must have in the management of human work that the organisation needs yet exists beyond these boundaries. We argue for the ‘Human’ in HRM to include independent workers. We first contextualise them, highlight the reasons for neglect, and examine and provoke three key areas. We set out the taken for granted, problematise, and then show how they are relevant, look different, or could be. Through this, we provoke exactly what HR does, where it starts and finishes, and its role in a network or ecosystem rather than purely an organisation. We close by offering ways of making this happen for both theory and practice.
Text
Main Document - HRM in Independent Work 20-HRMJ-05648.FINAL
- Accepted Manuscript
Text
1748-8583.12389
- Version of Record
More information
Accepted/In Press date: 4 May 2021
e-pub ahead of print date: 29 May 2021
Keywords:
HR practices, HR profession, boundaries of control, collective rights, contract of employment, gig economy, independent workers
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 449742
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/449742
ISSN: 0954-5395
PURE UUID: 1a01398d-fdf7-44a6-9391-c9f79d6b47fb
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Date deposited: 15 Jun 2021 16:32
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 03:54
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Author:
Juani Swart
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