Human resource information systems in construction: Are their capabilities fully exploited?

Over the past decade many writers and professional practitioners have recognized the substantial benefits that human resource information systems (HRISs) can bring to the human resource management (HRM) function. Such systems can help HRM professionals to improve productivity, control employee benefits, streamline compliance with HR legislation, manage the payroll function, and lower employee resourcing costs. This paper explores the ways in which HR systems are currently used by large UK-based construction firms, as part of a research project which is developing an improved method for the strategic deployment of people within such organizations. It reviews the potential of state-of-the-art software systems to facilitate the management of the resourcing process within the UK contracting sector, and compares this with the findings of a survey of leading construction companies' utilization of HRIS software. The analysis suggests that despite many companies using such software in a limited manner, the full potential of HRISs is not currently being exploited by UK construction companies. This could have negative implications with regards to the strategic deployment, development and retention of human resources in the future.