Contents

Declaration ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2
Acknowledgements ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 3
Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Table of figures ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
List of tables ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
1.1 Research Objectives ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9
1.2 Rationale for the Research ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 11
1.3 Recipients of the Research ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
1.4 Suitability of the Researcher for the Research ………………………………………………………………… 12
1.5 Scope and limitations of the research ……………………………………………………………………………. 13
1.6 Structure of the Dissertation ………………………………………………………………………………………… 13
2 Literature Review ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14
2.1 Introduction to the Literature Review ……………………………………………………………………………. 14
2.2 The Digital Workplace and the (Future) Nature of Work ………………………………………………….. 14
2.3 Challenges Facing Organisations in the Transition to Digital HR ………………………………………… 19
2.4 The Use of Technology and Stress …………………………………………………………………………………. 20
2.5 Benefits of Digital HR and the future ……………………………………………………………………………… 21
2.6 Investment in HR Technology and High Performance ………………………………………………………. 24
2.7 Literature Review Summary ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
3 Research Methodology ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 30
3.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 30
3.2 Research Objectives …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 30
3.3 Research Philosophy ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 31
3.4 Research Approach ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 33
3.5 Research Strategy ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 34
3.6 Population and Sample ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 35
3.7 Data Collection, Editing, Coding and Analysis ………………………………………………………………….. 35
3.8 Ethical Issues and Procedures ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 36
3.9 Limitations to the Research ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 36
3.10 Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 36
4 Findings ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 38
4.1 Demographics …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 38
4.2 Employee Data ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 41
4.3 Manager Data …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 47
4.4 HR Data ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 53
5. Discussion ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 62
5.1 Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 62
5.2 Has employee and manager satisfaction with HR increased or decreased as a result of the
digitisation of HR services and processes? …………………………………………………………………………… 62
5.3 Has the digitisation of HR services and processes created an always-on workforce and led to
higher levels of stress? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 64
5.4 Is employee satisfaction with HR services and processes influenced by factors such as worker
location, age, size of the organisation or industry? ……………………………………………………………….. 65
5.5 Has the digitisation of HR services and processes made any difference to the HR function? … 71
6 Summary and recommendations …………………………………………………………………………………………. 74
7 Personal Reflection ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 78
7.1 The MBA programme …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 78
7.2 The Dissertation Process ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 79
8 Bibliography ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 81
Appendix 1 – Dissertation Meeting/Progress Monitoring Report ………………………………………………… 87
Appendix 2 – The Research Questionnaire ………………………………………………………………………………. 90