In the Heartland of the HR-Jurisdiction HRT – A source to professional rivalry?

Abstract

This research shows a profession which still struggles with being acknowledged and confirmed as a profession, which possesses abstract knowledge rather than solely being an expert on practical techniques. It is emphasized that HR need to get close to the business and focus on adding business value by mainly working strategically and tactical. The profession has consequently increased the abstraction and it is aiming for more influence and legitimacy. The profession does hence try to expand its jurisdiction and inter-professional rivalry consequently exists. The results from this research shows and clarifies inter- and intra professional rivalry as forces which aim for increased abstraction in order to gain legitimacy and influence. The HR-Transformation has enabled and enhanced further abstraction and distancing. However, the research further shows that there is a potential risk that the HR-profession looses its function if the centralization and specialization go too far as this might create divisions and subgroups and within the profession which might open up for vacancies in the system of profession. The HR-profession might, by distancing itself too far, loose influence and legitimacy as it does not any more control the initial tasks of its heartland of jurisdiction, for which their clients used to recognize them for.