Zeitschrift für Personalforschung

Introduction to the Special Issue: Qualitative Methods in Research On Human Resource Management

Interest in qualitative research has increased in recent years regarding its relevance for developing the field of strategy and Human Resource Management further. Strategy and management research includes numerous examples of high quality studies using qualitative methods that have contributed to this field. Moreover, highly ranked management journals have published special issues on qualitative research. Especially in the realm of Human Resource Management, a strong discussion on the status ...

From Hrm to Employment Rules and Lifestyles. Theory Development Through Qualitative Case Study Research Into the Creative Industries**

In contrast to result-driven publications in which the academic narrative constructs the process of data analysis and the conceptual framework as purposefully designed and inevitably leading to the findings, this article will take a closer look at the concrete development of interpretative schemes and the openness of this process. We will do so by referring to an extensive empirical study of the German theatrical employment system. Following the course of our research project, the article wil...

Practicing Human Resource Strategy: Understanding the Relational Dynamics in Strategic Hr Work by Means of a Narrative Approach**

This article presents the results of a qualitative research project aimed at examining how Human Resource (HR) practitioners interpret HR strategy and strategic change. We will illustrate how they develop HR strategy by relying on a system of shared practices which, in turn, constitute the underlying relational dynamics. We argue that HR strategy is embedded in a (rhetorical) network of middle and top managers from HR departments and corresponding operational departments. This implies that HR...

The Benefits of Discourse Analysis for Human Resource Management**

The objective of this article is to take a closer look at discourse analysis as a qualitative method of data collection, analysis and theory building in Human Resource Management. Working exclusively with audio or video recordings of authentic conversations and following a systematic methodological process, discourse analysis enables researchers to develop theoretical conclusions and models on HR topics. First, basic assumptions and tools of discourse analysis are presented. Special emphasis ...

Groping in the Dark? Recent Contributions to Progress in Interpretative Research - a Review**

This paper reviews recent books supporting the development of using qualitative methods in interpretative research. Revolving around three major issues, i.e. increasing the level of rigour, using software packages and new methodological developments, the paper outlines the specific contributions of these books and lays out further needs for development. [PUB ABSTRACT]