Book Review: Human Resources Information Systems: A Guide for Public Administrators

• Author: Jiwon Suh
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X221115865
• Published date: 01 March 2023
• Date: 01 March 2023
• Subject Matter: Book Review

Review of Public Personnel Administration

2023, Vol. 43(1) 209 –211

© The Author(s) 2022

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Book Review

Book Review

Valcik, N. A., Sabharwal, M., & Benavides, T. (2021). Human Resources Information Systems: A

Guide for Public Administrators. Springer. 177 pp. $89.99 hardcover. ISBN: 978-3-030-75110-4.

Reviewed by: Jiwon Suh , University of Texas at Arlington, USA

DOI: 10.1177/0734371X221115865

Human resources (HR) are pivotal for an organization’s accomplishment of its goals,

yet very difficult to manage. HR functions cover a wide variety of practices not only

including compliance of laws, recruiting, training, and compensation but also expand-

ing to strategic decision-making and organizational culture. Therefore, accurate

HR-related data should be acquired, maintained, and appropriately distributed. As

such, Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) are essential for any organiza-

tion, regardless of sector. However, the applications of the HRIS vary across the public

sector (Battaglio, 2015). For public organizations, making decisions about HR involves

using public resources, making good HRIS a necessity. Although technology has been

used in HR functions since the 1940s, the development of HRIS has lagged other busi-

ness functions given the complexity of human resource-related practices (Johnson

et al., 2021). Considering that HRIS does not yet apply to the decision-making level

and still remains at the functional level in public organizations (p. 33), Human

Resources Information Systems: A Guide for Public Administrators by Nicolas A.

Valcik, Meghna Sabharwal, and Teodoro J. Benavides provides a great addition to our

knowledge of HRIS in the public sector.

This book provides an overview of HRIS from its history to recent practical appli-

cations in the public sector. Chapter 1 provides a brief background of HRIS, key defi-

nitions, and major components that can be used in the public and nonprofit

organizations. Chapter 2 synthesizes the history of HRIS and discusses contemporary

opportunities and challenges (p. 25). For example, HRIS enables organizations to pro-

cess a large amount of data efficiently and project future HR-related trends. Key chal-

lenges include measurement difficulties, resistance to change, budgetary constraints,

relying on external expertise, and data security are mainly derived from the unique

characteristics of the public sector. Chapter 3 discusses the current research on HRIS

adoption phases and Technological, Organizational and Environmental (TOE) factors

that impact on its level of adoption. Security challenges in the public sector are also

addressed. Chapter 4 delves into HR data management by focusing on database archi-

tecture development, compares mainframe, server-based and cloud-based HRIS, and

highlights that the evolution of HRIS enhances organizational efficiencies and

capabilities.

1115865ROPXXX10.1177/0734371X221115865Review of Public Personnel AdministrationBook Review

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