Past and Future of Human Resource Functions: Are We Done?

Abstract

Today, in the era of global competition, the importance of human resource function cannot be denied. It started its journey as a primarily administrative function, and now HR function is considered to be an essential ingredient of core strategic management policies. The current review is an attempt to analyze that whether HR function has reached its peak or still its journey is incomplete? HR scholars are looking for this answer and trying to explore its function in modern organizational settings. A brief discussion on HR literature followed by its evolution period is discussed. It is discussed that which HR functions are needed to adopt inside and outside approach to meet stakeholder’s demand. Based on the review of HR literature, it is found that organizations not only need to follow inside/out approach but also outside/inside approach should be practiced for value addition. Furthermore, HR actions (at the individual, group and organizational level) are needed to improve organizational outcomes and to strengthen the role of organizational leadership