TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO HRIS

Human Resource Information System (HRIS) is actually the combination of the two fields which are Human Resource Management (HRM) and Information Technology (IT). The development of the HRIS field has been seen to have a significant impact on the emergence of strategic human resource management (Strategic HRM) which I will explain about it later.

HISTORICAL EVOLUTION OF HRM AND HRIS

            The historical evolution of HRM has stated that role of HRM for the early 20^th Century as a caretaker whereas in 21^st Century as a strategic partner. This historical analysis will show how the role of HRM in the firm has changed over time from primarily being concerned with routine transactional and traditional HR activities to dealing with complex transformational ones.

            In the Pre-World War II, HR function only focuses on record keeping of employee information. Meanwhile in the Post-World War II (1945-1960), HR functions are to improve recruitment and selection procedures. Labor union also has been established to responsible for employees from abusive worker. These unions scope were in relationship with management.

HR functions in Social Issues Era (1963-1980) are as the prohibition of discriminatory practices, the promotion of occupational health and safety (OSHA), the provision of retirement benefits and tax regulation. Usage of IT among government and private sector are for database computer. Unfortunately, database computer was burdened especially in transactional activities. Strategic Human Resource Management (HRM) functions are commonly been used in company such as goals, mission, vision and strategic of organization.

HR ACTIVITIES

            The HR activities can be divided into three broad categories which are transactional, traditional and transformational (Wright, McMahan, Snell & Gerhart, 1998). Transactional are deal mostly with record keeping of employee information. Traditional involved HR program such as recruitment and selection. Transformational such as labor unions or OSHA.

            In conclusion, most of the HR activities have been through in my daily life without unnoticed such as record keeping. The record keeping activity is very important in our life. Without record keeping we cannot easily remember back what we have learned before and applied it in the future. Besides that, technology such as computer is also very important for us. The computer helps to complete our task just in a few minute and collect data from everywhere.

Resource: Mohan Thite, Micheal J. Kavanagh, and Richard D. Johnson. Evolution of Human Resource Management and Human Resource Information Systems: The Role of Information Technology