In the articles that follow, this evolution of the field is further articulated in terms of both general and specific events. To set the
stage for examining our roots, Kaufman (2014-in this issue) traces the development of HRM from the labor problem that surfaced in
the 19th century to the multifaceted strategic HRM/industrial relations/personnel economics nature of the field today. Similarly
DeNisi, Wilson and Biteman (2014-in this issue) review the history of HRM throughout the 20th century but focus on how this
evolution of the field is characterized in terms of the HR research — practice gap. In an interesting twist, Boudreau and Lawler
(2014-in this issue) trace the evolution of the field from a perceptual rather than historical perspective. Based on survey data from HR
leaders spanning two decades, they share their findings regarding the changing role of HRM based on the evolution of perceptions
regarding the progress of the field of HRM