Bibliometric Methods in HRM: Contribution and Utility.

This article examines the application and benefits of bibliometric analysis in Human Resource Management (HRM) research through a retrospective review of 855 articles published in the Human Resource Management Journal (HRMJ) from 1990 to 2022. The study identifies six major thematic clusters within HRMJ—HRM and organizational behavior; HR practices and policies; HRM as a strategy; HRM and performance; international HRM; and HRM roles and contingencies—and highlights trends such as increasing international co-authorship since 2011 and the predominance of UK-based contributions. It also discusses the underutilization of bibliometric methods in HRM research compared to broader business and management fields and suggests future directions for HRMJ, including fostering geographic diversity, addressing emerging topics like innovation and technology, and encouraging international collaborations. Limitations of bibliometric approaches are acknowledged, with recommendations to complement them with qualitative methods for a more comprehensive understanding of HRM scholarship.