Human resource management applications of knowledge-based systems

The commercial emergence of knowledge-based information technology represents a significant opportunity to enhance organizational management practice. Unfortunately, much of the potential of knowledge-based systems (KBS) to leverage human resource management (HRM) expertise and to promote organizational development remains unrealized. This article examines the current and potential use of KBS within HRM. After briefly reviewing the fundamental technology, KBS applications in manpower planning, recruiting, management development and performance appraisal are described, and the development of a knowledge-based safety advisory system is profiled. Frameworks for selecting an initial area for KBS application, and to subsequently achieve larger-scale technology assimilation are presented. Four technology assimilation 'roads' are considered and compared. Finally, the issue of fitting a 'road' to the existing knowledge structure of the organization is discussed. Copyright © 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.