Eight outrageous statements about HR science

Abstract

The thesis of this article is that HRM research falls short on all three of the criteria that define a successful science: rigor, relevance, cumulative progress. To bring HR research to the level of a successful science, programmatic, theory based research is needed in which there is a pursuit of important research questions and the use of diverse research methods. The needs of a variety of stakeholders must be considered in addition to those of corporate management. The context of HRM should be considered, along with the paradox, complexity, and chaos that inevitably accompany such consideration. Finally, and perhaps most important, attempts to improve HR as science must avoid overreactions in which one criterion of successful science is overemphasized to the neglect of the others.