To Research Role and Challenges of IT in HRD

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I, [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

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ABSTRACT

This research focuses on analysing the role and challenges of Information Technology in Human Resource Development. The study explores the concept of Human Resource Development and other concepts related to it. HRD is referred by Hawking et al. (2004) as educational activities of training and development that are associated with the work life. It tends to relate learning and development activities for people who are working and have been through their basic vocational education and professional trainings. The study has defined component of HRD: Manpower, Recruitment and Selection, Training and Development, Performance Appraisal, Job Rotation, Salary and Wages Administration, Career Planning and Development and Organization Development. Furthermore, the literature provides an overview about the benefits of IT in HR functions also highlighting the role of IT in HRD functions. In addition, the research has explored different studies on HRIS and E-HRM. By conducting questionnaire survey from 50 HR professionals working in different companies, the research focused on identifying the role and challenges of IT in HRD functions and activities. The major highlights of the research findings include: Information technology helps in increasing effectiveness, cost containment, and speed, and also in enhancing the functions, reducing the time consumed in performing a task. It speeds the HR activities as well enhances employee performance. Furthermore, the findings also highlighted change resistance, lack of understanding and awareness, lack of knowledge, lack of managerial support, and fear to unknown, value creation, valuable information sharing, maintaining vast amount of data were among the most significant challenges of IT with respect of HRD and employees.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1 Research Background1

1.2 Research Aim and Objectives2

1.3 Research Questions2

1.4 Significance of the Study3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW5

2.1 Definition of Information Technology5

2.2 History of HR7

2.3 Human Resource Development7

2.3.1 Evolution of HRD9

2.3.2 Defining Human Resource Development11

2.3.3 Contemporary Human Resource Development12

2.3.4 Elements of Human Resource Development14

2.4 Strategic Human Resource Development15

2.4.1 Components of Human Resource Development17

2.5 Benefits of Information Technology- Organisational Perspective19

2.6 Information Technology in HRD20

2.7 HRIS- Human Resource Information System24

2.8 Defining e-HRM25

CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY27

3.1 Research Method27

3.2 Data Collection Method28

3.2.1 Secondary Source28

3.2.2 Primary Sources29

3.3 Research Instrument30

3.4 Participants31

3.5 Sampling Technique31

3.6 Data Analysis Methods33

3.7 Ethical Issues34

3.8 Reliability36

3.9 Validity38

CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND ANALYSIS40

4.1 Results40

4.2 Discussion Analysis53

4.2.1 Role of IT in Human Resource Development53

4.2.2 Challenges in the integration of Information Technology in HRD57

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION60

REFERENCES64

APPENDICES73

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Research Background

In this increasingly competitive environment, firms are continuously competing in order to sustain in the business. For sustaining, the firms are now required to develop some competitive advantage which will help them in differentiating ...