The digital HR revolution: mapping global research and emerging workforce trends

This bibliometric research examines the global development of Digital Human Resource Management (DHRM), or electronic Human Resource Management (e-HRM), from 2015 to 2025, emphasizing growing workforce trends and the digital transformation of human resource practices. The analysis utilizes VOSviewer to show publishing trends, international collaboration, prominent sources, leading authors, and keyword co-occurrence patterns, based on 382 articles indexed in Scopus. The results indicate a significant increase in publications during the study period, culminating in around 90 papers in 2024. This expansion is propelled by the worldwide digital revolution and swift progress in technologies like artificial intelligence. Research production is geographically concentrated in emerging economies, with India at the forefront, succeeded by China, Jordan, Indonesia, and Malaysia, whilst conventional Western nations produce relatively less. The examination of international collaboration further designates India as a pivotal nexus linking various research groups. The International Journal of Human Resource Management is the most prominent publication source, while the research of Tanya Bondarouk and Emma Parry has considerable scholarly impact through high citation rates. Keyword co-occurrence analysis reveals four principal subject clusters: resource and information management; advanced technologies and sustainability; operational implementation and performance outcomes; and digital transformation paradigms. Key themes encompass e-HRM, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and organizational performance. The study emphasizes DHRM as a swiftly advancing domain, especially in Asia, while also pinpointing deficiencies in the empirical comprehension of the correlation between digital HR technologies and quantifiable human resource outcomes. These findings outline the intellectual terrain of digital HR and underscore rising workforce trends propelled by technological integration.