Bibliometric Methods in HRM: Contribution and Utility

Abstract

This paper offers an overview of the usefulness of bibliographic analysis and conducts a retrospective review of the Human Resource Management Journal (HRMJ). The first part of the paper explains that bibliographic methods are not fully democratized in management and have just started their modest ascent in HRM. In the second part, the paper provides a retrospective review (1990–2022) of HRMJ articles (n = 855), which constitutes one of the two general objectives of bibliometric analysis. The results revealed that bibliometrics analysis significantly contributes to the HRM body of knowledge, especially given that this methodology is barely used in HRM research. Conversely, the retrospective review has identified trends in performance analysis, such as co-authorship internationalization in HRMJ articles that were unclear until 2011. We also highlighted the existence of six major clusters: HRM and organizational behavior (cluster 1), HR practices and policies (cluster 2), HRM as a strategy (cluster 3), HRM and performance (cluster 4), international HRM (cluster 5), and HRM roles and contingencies (cluster 6). Insights into potential trajectories for HRMJ scope are provided.