Lifting the veil on HRIS adoption: the role of vendors and consultants in the diffusion of HR innovations

Adoption; Consultants; Diffusion of innovations; Diffusion work; HRIS market; Human resource information systems (HRIS); Information Systems; Computer Science Applications; Library and Information Sciences

Abstract :

[en] Purpose: This paper aims to analyze the adoption process of human resource information systems (HRIS) from a supply-side perspective emphasizing the practices of HRIS vendors and consultants. It aims to counterbalance the existing literature on HRIS, which has overwhelmingly studied HRIS adoption from the customer organization's viewpoint, hence systematically downplaying the active role of vendors and consultants in adoption processes. Design/methodology/approach: The research has been conducted on the HRIS market of the Benelux (Belgium–The Netherlands–Luxemburg) from a constructionist and exploratory perspective. The structure and dynamics underlying the market are gradually unveiled through open interviews with HRIS vendors and consulting firms (n = 22). Findings: The paper reveals how the social shaping of HR innovations takes place and identifies nine types of pressures exerted by HRIS vendors and consultants on customer organizations: assessing, advising, advertising, case-building, demonstrating, configuring, accompanying, sustaining and supporting. Taken together, these pressures demonstrate the systematic presence and active role of external actors throughout the adoption process of HRIS within firms. Research limitations/implications: It is suggested that further supply-side studies of innovation diffusion processes of HRIS should be conducted to complement the existing, demand-side literature. In this view, emphasis should be set on technology providers and their ongoing interactions with customer firms. Originality/value: The analytical precedence given to supply-side actors allows to conceptualize HRIS adoption as the dynamic result of negotiations between three groups of actors (HRIS vendors, HRIS consultants and customer firms), hence resulting in a more comprehensive and holistic view of HRIS adoption processes.

Research center :

LENTIC - Laboratoire d'Études sur les Nouvelles Formes de Travail, l'Innovation et le Changement - ULiège

Disciplines :

Human resources management
Management information systems
General management, entrepreneurship & organizational theory

Author, co-author :

Jemine, Grégory ; Université de Liège - ULiège > HEC Recherche > HEC Recherche: Changing workplace and strategic HRM

Guillaume, Kim ; Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium

Language :

English

Title :

Lifting the veil on HRIS adoption: the role of vendors and consultants in the diffusion of HR innovations

Publication date :

2022

Journal title :

Information Technology and People

ISSN :

0959-3845

eISSN :

1758-5813

Publisher :

Emerald Group Holdings Ltd.

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

2418-2440

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Additional URL :

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/ITP-02-2021-0114/full/xml

Available on ORBi :

since 07 April 2022

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159 (8 by ULiège)

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