Are Human Resource Management Professionals Generalists or Specialists? A Critique

Abstract

Human Resource Management (HRM) professionals are unique in their job content and the job context. Not like other professionals, they have to work with lives; not with files or systems. However, their role is not clearly defined yet in the extant literature continuing the debate on whether they are specialists or generalists. Hence, bridging that lacuna, the current study critiques the argument of HRM specialists vs. HRM generalists. A narrative content analysis of relevant literature was conducted. Citation analysis and thematic analysis were performed to explore the specific themes being researched in the context. Building on the results of the content analysis, current critique concludes that HRM professionals should be 'specialized generalists' in any industry. To be specialized generalists they have to root in HRM first, and then should diversify their capabilities into other relevant areas of people management.