E-HRM adoption and diffusion: a cross-national application of diffusion of innovation and institutional theories

The present study builds on diffusion of innovation (DOI) and institutional theories in order to address the current lack of cross-national studies on e-HRM adoption and usage. The core research questions is: What factors influ-ence e-HRM technology adoption and usage for HRM? We analysed direct and mediation paths related to country, organizational and HRM factors among 3815 organizations in 21 countries in a multilevel approach. The results largely supported the hypotheses. Specifically, national systems supporting innovative behaviours foster the extent of e-HRM adoption and e-HRM usage through e-HRM adoption. At the organizational level economical sector of activity, size, global competition and the educational level were associated with e-HRM adoption and usage. Moreover, a strategic orientation of the HR function seems to be a prerequisite for e-HRM adoption and usage. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.