HUMAN-RESOURCE MANAGEMENT APPLICATIONS OF KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEMS

The commercial emergence of knowledge-based information technology rep resents a significant opportunity to enhance organizational management practice. Unfortunately, much of the potential of knowledge-based sys tems (KBS) to leverage human resource management (HRM) expertise and t o promote organizational development remains unrealized. This article examines the current and potential use of KBS within HRM. After briefl y reviewing the fundamental technology, KBS applications in manpower p lanning, recruiting, management development and performance appraisal are described, and the development of a knowledge-based safety advisor y system is profiled. Frameworks for selecting an initial area for KBS application, and to subsequently achieve larger-scale technology assi milation are presented. Four technology assimilation 'roads' are consi dered and compared. Finally, the issue of fitting a 'road' to the exis ting knowledge structure of the organization is discussed. Copyright ( C) 1996 Elsevier Science Ltd.