A Guide to Key Theories for Human Resource Management Research

This authoritative Guide provides 41 summaries of important theories used for research in human resource management (HRM). Each entry clearly defines a theory, provides insight into the development of the theory, demonstrates the application of the theory to HRM, and discusses areas where the theory could be applied in future research projects. The two introductory chapters overview HRM in relation to theory, and explain the importance of theory in research and issues to consider when using theory. In particular, the book offers: A concise summary of the origins of HRM A clear explanation of what is and what is not theory Detailed suggestions for selecting and using theories for future research projects Accessible summaries of theories used for HRM research Application of theories from various disciplines to HRM A Guide to Key Theories for Human Resource Management Research will be essential and reassuring reading for Master’s students and PhD candidates researching HRM. It will also benefit early career researchers and more established researchers seeking insight into more recently developed theories.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Foreword xxiv Elaine Farndale Acknowledgements xxvii List of abbreviations xxviii PART I INTRODUCTION CHAPTERS Chapter I Theory for the HRM discipline: where have we been and where are we going? 2 Kate Hutchings, Adrian Wilkinson and Snejina Michailova Chapter II Theory as a tool in the craft of conducting research 18 Snejina Michailova PART II THEORY ENTRIES 1 Attribution theory 45 Karin Sanders 2 Commitment system theory 52 David Cross and Yvonne G. T. van Rossenberg 3 Conservation of resources theory 59 Katrina Radford 4 Contingency theory 67 Thomas Garavan and Fergal O’Brien 5 Critical theory 73 Richard Longman and Catherine Mackintosh 6 Equity theory 80 Shuisheng Shi and Jason D. Shaw 7 Gender theory 86 Janne Tienari 8 Human capital theory 93 Irena Grugulis 9 Identity theory 100 Dan V. Caprar and Benjamin W. Walker 10 Institutional theory – comparative 107 Pauline Dibben and Geoffrey Wood 11 Institutional theory – organisational 113 Pauline Dibben and Geoffrey Wood 12 Intersectionality theory 119 Susan Shortland and Stephen J. Perkins 13 Job demands-resources (JD-R) theory 126 Steve Granger, Madelynn R. D. Stackhouse and Brianna Barker Caza 14 Labour process theory 133 Andrew Smith and Jo McBride 15 Leadership substitutes theory 139 Wilhelm Barner-Rasmussen, Mats Ehrnrooth and Jennie Sumelius 16 Leadership theory – moral 146 Giles Hirst, Damien Hughes, Li Kaiwen and Yingnan Shi 17 Learning theory – organisational 157 Yusuf M. Sidani 18 Learning theory – social 164 Dana L. Ott 19 Motivation theory 171 Ryan Gould 20 Paradox theory 185 Charmine E. J. Härtel and Anna Krzeminska 21 Postcolonial theory 191 Snehanjali Chrispal 22 Power theory 197 Emma Hughes and Tony Dundon 23 Psychological capital theory 204 Jian-Min (James) Sun 24 Psychological contract theory 211 David Guest and Ricardo Rodrigues 25 Psychological safety theory 218 Jie Shen 26 (Re)socialisation theory 224 Miriam Moeller 27 Resource based theory 231 Jaap Paauwe 28 Self-determination theory 238 Elena Shulzhenko 29 Sensemaking theory 247 Kelly Fisher 30 Signalling theory 254 Ricardo Rodrigues and David Guest 31 Social capital theory 261 Marian van Bakel and Sven Horak 32 Social cognition theory 268 Angelo S. DeNisi 33 Social exchange theory 274 Sachiko Yamao 34 Social network theory 280 David Weir and Sa’ad Ali 35 Sociotechnical systems theory 287 Angela Knox 36 Stakeholder theory 294 Anabella Davila 37 Stereotype theory 301 Jan Selmer 38 Strategic choice theory 306 Thomas Garavan and Fergal O’Brien 39 Systems theory 312 Brian Harney 40 Transaction cost economics theory 319 Paul Willman 41 Upper echelon theory 325 Stephen J. Perkins and Susan Shortland Index