Human Resource Management (HRM) Outsourcing and Shared Services: Analysing Changing Approaches to HRM

Since the 1990s, the public-sector has increasingly initiated outsourcing and centralised shared services to provide aspects of their human resource management (HRM). Proponents claim gains in efficiency and customer service, but the benefits can be difficult to achieve. We will research the implementation of shared services/outsourcing in the Victorian Government and in two comparative cases. The rare combination of research access to conduct a real-time in-depth study will contribute to theory and practice, by identifying the conditions under which the proposed benefits may be realised and the identifying obstacles to their realisation.