Strategic human resource responses to anticipated digital disruption

Abstract

The exponential rate of technological advancement has had many experts debating the impact it will have on the workplace, specifically on jobs and employment. Accelerated development in artificial intelligence, robotics, automation and machine learning have left many unanswered questions, especially for human resource departments in corporates. The purpose of this research was to determine the anticipated impact of digital disruption on employees and how human resource departments can strategically prepare to respond to this looming digital disruption. This qualitative, exploratory research used the Delphi technique, which consisted of three rounds of data collection in the form of open-ended, semi-structured questionnaires created by experts across the various fields of human resources. These were analysed by means of thematic content analysis and fed back to the participants to inform their next set of responses. The key findings of the study are that it is anticipated that eight areas in human resources will be highly impacted by digital disruption in the next three to five years. The participants confirmed that human resource teams must focus on six priorities in order to successfully transition themselves and their organisations into the future world of work. In order to adequately support these eight areas of disruption and achieve the six priorities, human resource teams must focus on building their own capability through developing new skills and competencies. This will equip them to better guide and lead their organisations into the future world of work. The next focus is on assisting their businesses to make a successful transition into the future world of work, which requires automating their human resource practices and identifying and developing the skills gaps amongst current and future employees, proactively preparing for skills shortages. Lastly, the research concludes that it is imperative for the human resource profession to come together to share their learning and experiences through increased collaboration in order to prepare for the future world of work. The study provides a strategic framework to guide human resource teams to structure and prepare their strategic responses to the anticipated digital disruption.