Bridging human resource management theory and practice: Implications for industry-engaged academic research
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Date
2021
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Publisher
John Wiley & Sons Ltd
Abstract
The link between academic theory and the professional prac tice of human resource management (HRM) is often tenuous
and disjointed. The “gap” between theory and practice is
damaging to academics and practitioners. On the one hand,
academic research is often highly theoretical and method ologically complex. On the other, HR professionals tend to
oversimplify advice on “how to solve” HRM “problems” and
they may conduct research lacking rigor and nuance. Insofar
as a bridge can be built between HRM theory and practice,
significant benefits exist for both parties. Mick Marchington
exemplified this bridge. His commitment to pluralism
wrought significant influence on the professional practice of
HRM through highly readable and practically useful theory.
We look to Marchington's work to draw lessons on how we
can better bridge theory and practice for the enrichment
of academics and practitioners. We develop a framework
contrasting “academic esotericism” with “practitioner reduc tionism.” We then propose a third way: “industry-engaged
academic research
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Keywords
employee voice, evidence-based HRM, industry engagement