Global Trends in Human Resource Management Research: A Bibliometric Mapping of Themes, Knowledge Structures, and Emerging Topics (2020 – 2026)

Abstract

Human Resource Management (HRM) has undergone substantial transformation in response to digitalization, artificial intelligence, changing workforce expectations, organizational transformation, and the emergence of new forms of work. This study aims to map the global development of HRM research by identifying publication patterns, dominant themes, intellectual structures, and emerging research topics during the period 2020–2026. A bibliometric analysis was conducted using Scopus as the primary database. The search identified 1,801 documents, restricted to English-language journal articles and open-access publications. The dataset is predominantly associated with Business, Management and Accounting (1,338 documents) and Social Sciences (684 documents), demonstrating the interdisciplinary character of contemporary HRM research. In terms of geographical distribution, the United Kingdom (629), United States (476), Australia (427), China (417), and India (219) represent the most productive countries. Bibliometric analysis and visualization were employed to examine keyword co-occurrence, thematic clusters, knowledge structures, and the temporal emergence of research topics. The findings indicate that contemporary HRM research is strongly associated with themes of digital transformation, employee engagement, organizational performance, leadership, talent management, employee well-being, remote work, sustainability, and technology-enabled HRM. More recent research increasingly incorporates artificial intelligence, digital HRM, people analytics, hybrid work, employee experience, workplace well-being, and sustainable human resource management. The findings suggest that HRM scholarship is shifting from traditional administrative and personnel-oriented perspectives toward a more strategic, digital, data-driven, employee-centered, and sustainability-oriented paradigm. Future research should further investigate the intersection of AI and HRM, algorithmic decision-making, digital employee experience, workforce analytics, hybrid work, employee well-being, and ethical challenges associated with emerging technologies. This study contributes to the HRM literature by providing a comprehensive overview of the global knowledge structure and identifying research directions that may shape the future development of the field.