We identified seven themes across time in the SHRM literature: (1) explaining contingency perspectives and fi t, (2) shif ting
from a focus on managing people to creating strategic contributions, (3) elaborating HR system components and structure,
(4) expanding the scope of SHRM, (5) achieving HR implementation and execution, (6) measuring outcomes of SHRM, and
(7) evaluating methodological issues. Each of these themes played a signi ficant role in the evolution of the fi eld.
During the embryonic stage of strategic human resource management, three research streams set the agenda. Initial studies
emphasized contingency perspectives and fit in order to tie human resource policies and practices to various strategy elements.
Over time, this stream of inquiry expanded to include competing framework s for assessing fi t and an assessment of different
contexts as contingent factors. In a second line of inquiry, initial studies also wrestled with the emphasis of HR as a source of
important strategic contributions versus a focus on people management. Over time this research stream expanded to include
human and social capital contributions and HR in increasingly complex systems. These two streams have continued to shape the
agenda for SHRM research since the early 1980s. A third area of interest during this developmental period concerned expanding
the scope of SHRM activities beyond conventional organizational boundaries. Over time the focus of this stream shif ted more
toward international SHRM concerns.
Two additional themes emerged during the early 1990s. One stream of inquiry elaborates the structure and components of HR
systems. The other line of research emphasizes the importance of effective execution of HR policies and practices and ensuring that the
strategic intent is realized. Later in the 1990s, as the field became established, a greater concern with measuring the outcomes of SHRM
activities emerged. Since 200 0, as the field has matured, methodological issues and questions have gained increasing attention.
The following sections trace the progression in thinking across each of these themes. We highlight the major contributions and
contributors to provide an overview of development of the strategic human resource managementfield.