A quarter‐century review of HRM in small and medium‐sized enterprises: Capturing what we know, exploring where we need to go

Brian Harney; Hadeel Alkhalaf

doi:10.1002/hrm.22010

journal article Open Access Apr 15, 2020

A quarter‐century review of HRM in small and medium‐sized enterprises: Capturing what we know, exploring where we need to go

Brian Harney

Hadeel Alkhalaf

Human Resource Management Vol. 60 No. 1 pp. 5-29 · Wiley

View at Publisher Save 10.1002/hrm.22010

Abstract

AbstractDespite the proliferation of HRM research, only a small fraction explores the context of small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Where HRM in SMEs has received attention, the literature base remains fragmented and variable, comprising a plurality of definitions, explanations, and methods. To advance understanding, this paper uses a quarter‐century systematic review drawing on an evidence base of 137 peer‐reviewed articles. A cumulative framework is presented capturing key developments and synthesizing existing areas of research focus. Analysis of limitations and knowledge‐gaps finds a failure to differentiate across various types of SMEs, limited appreciation of SME characteristics and contextual conditions, and a dominance of managerial perspectives. An agenda for future research on HRM in SMEs is outlined with respect to definitional parameters, HR practices, HRM–performance, key determinants, and presenting issues. The paper concludes that SMEs offer a unique, fruitful, and timely context for investigations of HRM.

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Metrics

151

Citations

217

References

Details

Published: Apr 15, 2020
Vol/Issue: 60(1)
Pages: 5-29
License: View

Authors

B

Brian Harney

Dublin City University Business School Dublin City University Dublin Ireland

H

Hadeel Alkhalaf

College of Administration Science and Humanities Buraydah Private Colleges Buraydah Saudi Arabia

Funding

European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme Award: 734824

Cite This Article

Brian Harney, Hadeel Alkhalaf (2020). A quarter‐century review of HRM in small and medium‐sized enterprises: Capturing what we know, exploring where we need to go. Human Resource Management, 60(1), 5-29. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrm.22010

A quarter‐century review of HRM in small and medium‐sized enterprises: Capturing what we know, exploring where we need to go

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