Literature Review of Critical HRM (Critical HRM): Characteristics, Developments, and Issues of Critical Approaches in HRM Studies

Abstract

In this paper, we conducted a literature review with the aim of clarifying the characteristics, developments, and challenges of critical HRM (CHRM) research, which has been attracting attention in recent years, particularly in the United Kingdom and Europe. The review revealed that four topics have developed in CHRM research: (1) critical research on the gap between rhetoric and reality, (2) focus on manager-employee perceptions of the management process, (3) criticism of monistic HRM, and (4) integration with the findings of mainstream HRM theory.

In addition, although there are some commonalities between so-called “mainstream” HRM research and CHRM research, the lack of integration of findings makes it difficult to have a productive dialogue between the two, and we discussed the research agenda that should be addressed in order to overcome this challenge. The research agenda that should be addressed in order to overcome this challenge was discussed.