HUMAN RESOURCE
Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies
(CAHRS)
CAHRS Working Paper Series
Cornell University ILR School
Year 1996
HR Information Systems: Exploiting the
Full Potential
John W. Boudreau
Cornell University
This paper is posted at DigitalCommons@ILR. http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cahrswp/173 CAHRS / Cornell University
187 Ives Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-3901 USA
Tel. 607 255-9358 www.ilr.cornell.edu/CAHRS/ WORKING PAPER SERIES
HR Information Systems:
Exploiting the Full Potential
John W. Boudreau
Working Paper 9 6 - 0 2
Advancing the World of Work
HR Information Systems
WP 96-02
HR Information Systems: Exploiting the Full Potential
John W. Boudreau
School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Department of Human Resource Studies
Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies
Ives Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
607-255-5427
Working Paper #96-02
http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/cahrs
This paper has not undergone formal review or approval of the faculty of the ILR School. It is intended to make results of research, conferences, and projects available to others interested in human resource management in preliminary form to encourage discussion and suggestions. Page 1
HR Information Systems
WP 96-02
Human resource management has always faced a fundamental paradox: Top managers in any company will readily agree that the people are the keys to success, but few believe they know whether their people are well managed or if they are prepared to fortify and enhance the transformations facing the organization. The information tools applied to the employees of an organization pale by comparison with the tools used to analyze markets, financial resources and production design.
This knowledge gap might logically produce lavish investments in technology and research to improve information and management of people. We might expect to see human resource departments becoming larger,
(CAHRS)
CAHRS Working Paper Series
Cornell University ILR School
Year 1996
HR Information Systems: Exploiting the
Full Potential
John W. Boudreau
Cornell University
This paper is posted at DigitalCommons@ILR. http://digitalcommons.ilr.cornell.edu/cahrswp/173 CAHRS / Cornell University
187 Ives Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853-3901 USA
Tel. 607 255-9358 www.ilr.cornell.edu/CAHRS/ WORKING PAPER SERIES
HR Information Systems:
Exploiting the Full Potential
John W. Boudreau
Working Paper 9 6 - 0 2
Advancing the World of Work
HR Information Systems
WP 96-02
HR Information Systems: Exploiting the Full Potential
John W. Boudreau
School of Industrial and Labor Relations
Department of Human Resource Studies
Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies
Ives Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York
607-255-5427
Working Paper #96-02
http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/cahrs
This paper has not undergone formal review or approval of the faculty of the ILR School. It is intended to make results of research, conferences, and projects available to others interested in human resource management in preliminary form to encourage discussion and suggestions. Page 1
HR Information Systems
WP 96-02
Human resource management has always faced a fundamental paradox: Top managers in any company will readily agree that the people are the keys to success, but few believe they know whether their people are well managed or if they are prepared to fortify and enhance the transformations facing the organization. The information tools applied to the employees of an organization pale by comparison with the tools used to analyze markets, financial resources and production design.
This knowledge gap might logically produce lavish investments in technology and research to improve information and management of people. We might expect to see human resource departments becoming larger,
References: John W. Boudreau, "HRIS: Adding Value or Just Cutting Costs?" HRMonthly, May, 1992, pp. 8-12. Michael Hammer & James Champy, Reengineering the Corporation: A Manifesto for Business Revolution (New York, NY: Harper Business, 1993). Page 10