Personnel/Human Resources Management: A Political Influence Perspective

Abstract

It was suggested over 10 years ago that new and different perspectives should be applied to the Personnel/Human Resources Management (P/HRM)field in an effort to promote theory and research and expand our understanding of the dynamics underlying P/HRM processes. This article tries to address this suggestion in three ways. First, it proposes a political influence perspective as an alternative way to view P/HRM decisions and actions. Second, it reviews research investigating political influence in key P/HRM areas. Third, it examines the strengths and limitations of the political influence perspective relative to other perspectives.