Empowered or marginalized? The impact of Smart HRM technology on HR department influence

This study examines the impact of Smart HRM technology on HR department influence. Using data from line managers and HR managers from 56 companies in China, the results show that Smart HRM technology has a positive indirect effect on HR department influence through HR organizational capital. Conversely, it has a negative indirect effect on HR department influence through HR socialization. Additionally, HR symbolic competence strengthens the relationship between HRM organizational capital and HR influence. Specifically, the effect of HR organizational capital on HR department influence is stronger when HR symbolic competence is high. This study contributes to the strategic HRM and digital HRM literature by offering new theoretical perspectives and practical insights on how HR departments can reconstruct their influence in a digitalized environment.