Mapping the Intellectual Structure of Digital Human Resource Management: A Bibliometric Analysis and Research Agenda (2009–2025)

Abstract

Background: Digital Human Resource Management (Digital HRM) has emerged as a critical domain of inquiry as rapid technological transformations reshape traditional HR practices. As organisations increasingly integrate digital tools into their core functions, there is a pressing need to understand how these innovations influence strategic HRM processes and employee-level outcomes.

Objective: This study systematically analyses the existing literature on Digital HRM to identify major research trends, map the field's intellectual structure, and propose a comprehensive agenda for future scholarly exploration.

Methodology: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using metadata from the Scopus database, spanning the period from 2009 to 2025. Utilising Bibliometrix (R-package) and VOSviewer, the study analysed annual publication trends, citation networks, influential journals, and the evolution of thematic clusters through co-occurrence and co-citation analysis.

Results: The findings reveal an exponential growth in Digital HRM research, with a significant surge in publications recorded since 2020. The intellectual landscape is currently dominated by three major thematic clusters: (1) AI and analytics-driven HR decision-making, (2) the strategic management of digital transformation in HRM, and (3) the intersection of digital tools with sustainability-oriented HR practices.

Conclusion: Digital HRM is a rapidly evolving, interdisciplinary field that is central to enhancing organisational agility and sustainability. The integration of disruptive technologies into HR frameworks presents significant theoretical and practical opportunities for advancing the future of work.

Unique Contribution: This study provides a longitudinal overview of the Digital HRM field, formalising the fragmented literature into distinct intellectual clusters. It introduces a multidimensional research agenda that bridges technical implementation with human-centric factors such as leadership and digital sustainability.

Key Recommendation: It is recommended that future research shift focus towards the psychological impact of AI-driven HR practices on employee engagement. Furthermore, scholars should explore the role of leadership in navigating digital shifts and examine the specific implications of digital HR adoption within emerging economies.