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What Happens to Human Resources When the Human Element Disappears? A Qualitative Study on the Social Consequences of Digitalisation for HR Employees

Ekman, Evelina LU and Lindberg, Gustava (2026) SOCK20 20252
Department of Sociology
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of how HR professionals experience digital HR platforms and how digitalization has influenced and transformed HR work, with particular focus on its social dimensions. The study is based on a qualitative research design and draws on semi-structured interviews with HR professionals in the private sector. The findings show that digitalization entails a clear duality in HR work. On the one hand, digital HR platforms increase efficiency and reduce administrative workload, thereby enabling HR professionals to devote more time to relational and supportive activities. On the other hand, digital systems introduce new demands, intensify work pace, and risk reducing human interaction by... (More)
The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of how HR professionals experience digital HR platforms and how digitalization has influenced and transformed HR work, with particular focus on its social dimensions. The study is based on a qualitative research design and draws on semi-structured interviews with HR professionals in the private sector. The findings show that digitalization entails a clear duality in HR work. On the one hand, digital HR platforms increase efficiency and reduce administrative workload, thereby enabling HR professionals to devote more time to relational and supportive activities. On the other hand, digital systems introduce new demands, intensify work pace, and risk reducing human interaction by replacing face-to-face encounters with digital processes.
The results further demonstrate that digital HR platforms do not diminish the importance of the social dimension of HR work; rather, they transform the conditions under which relational work is carried out. As digital interactions increase, the need for human presence and personal dialogue becomes more pronounced. The study contributes to existing research on e-HRM, electronic Human Resource Management, by highlighting the central role of social and relational aspects in digitally mediated HR work and by illustrating how digital resources gain meaning through their use in social practice. (Less)
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author
Ekman, Evelina LU and Lindberg, Gustava
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Vad händer med ‘Human Resources’ om det mänskliga försvinner? En kvalitativ studie om digitaliseringens sociala konsekvenser för HR-anställda
course
SOCK20 20252
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Digital HR systems, Digitalization of work, e-HRM (electronic Human Resource Management), Human Resource Management, Relational work, Sociomateriality.
language
English
id
9220961
date added to LUP
2026-01-27 14:09:30
date last changed
2026-01-27 14:09:30
@misc{9220961,
  abstract     = {{The purpose of this study is to gain a deeper understanding of how HR professionals experience digital HR platforms and how digitalization has influenced and transformed HR work, with particular focus on its social dimensions. The study is based on a qualitative research design and draws on semi-structured interviews with HR professionals in the private sector. The findings show that digitalization entails a clear duality in HR work. On the one hand, digital HR platforms increase efficiency and reduce administrative workload, thereby enabling HR professionals to devote more time to relational and supportive activities. On the other hand, digital systems introduce new demands, intensify work pace, and risk reducing human interaction by replacing face-to-face encounters with digital processes.
The results further demonstrate that digital HR platforms do not diminish the importance of the social dimension of HR work; rather, they transform the conditions under which relational work is carried out. As digital interactions increase, the need for human presence and personal dialogue becomes more pronounced. The study contributes to existing research on e-HRM, electronic Human Resource Management, by highlighting the central role of social and relational aspects in digitally mediated HR work and by illustrating how digital resources gain meaning through their use in social practice.}},
  author       = {{Ekman, Evelina and Lindberg, Gustava}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{What Happens to Human Resources When the Human Element Disappears? A Qualitative Study on the Social Consequences of Digitalisation for HR Employees}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}