Werner Nienhueser*
Empirical Research on Human Resource Management as a
Production of Ideology**
The article argues that empirical research on Human Resource Management creates
a one-sided, distorted image of the reality of work and thus generates ideology. Such
an ideology legitimises HR practices and favours the interests of entrepreneurs and
managers. This assertion is illustrated and discussed using the case of empirical research
in HRM in German-speaking countries, although the ideology assertion
should also be valid for Anglo-Saxon countries. It is shown that HRM research
mainly follows employer objectives; it primarily analyses performance-related variables.
The surveyed HR practices focus on “High Performance Works Systems”,
while other HR practices are largely ignored. Mainly organisational elites (managers,
experts and other highly qualified employees) are surveyed as personnel and provide
information about the situation in companies. Empirical research paints a unitaristic
picture; depicting the employer and the role of HR management positively. Deviations
from an employee-friendly HR strategy are overlooked or seen as relatively
rare anomalies.
Key words: ideology, power empirical research, images of work