The Strategic Role of Human Resource Management in Facing Digital Transformation and Industry 4.0

Authors

  • Sulistyo Anjarwati Islamic University of Blitar, Blitar, Indonesia
  • Ghazi Bahtiar Hidayatullah Islamic University of Blitar, Blitar, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58526/jsret.v5i4.1258

Keywords:

Human Resource Management, Digital Transformation, Industry 4.0, Higher Education, Digital Competency

Abstract

Human resource management (HRM) has become one of the key strategic functions in supporting organizational transformation in the digital era and Industry 4.0. Higher education institutions are required not only to adopt digital technologies but also to develop human resources capable of adapting to rapid technological changes. This study aims to analyze the strategic role of human resource management in supporting digital transformation at Universitas Islam Balitar. A qualitative descriptive approach was employed using in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. The participants consisted of the head of the human resources division, lecturers, and administrative staff selected through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using the interactive model of Miles and Huberman, including data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing. The findings reveal that digital transformation has been gradually implemented through the digitalization of academic and administrative services. Human resource management plays an important role in improving employees' digital competencies through training and continuous assistance. However, several challenges remain, including disparities in digital literacy, resistance to organizational change, and limited technological infrastructure. The study concludes that effective digital transformation requires strategic human resource management capable of integrating competency development, organizational culture, and technological innovation. These findings contribute to the development of strategic human resource management practices in higher education institutions undergoing digital transformation.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Asmiati, A., Sulastriani, S., & Citta, A. B. (2023). Human Resource Development in Supporting Transformation Sea Transportation in the Era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0.Innovative: Journal Of Social Science Research, 3(4), 6184–6197. Retrieved from https://j-innovative.org/index.php/Innovative/article/view/4183

Bondarouk, T., & Brewster, C. (2016). Conceptualising the future of HRM and technology research. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 27(21), 2652–2671. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2016.1232296

Dessler, G. (2020).Human resource management (16th ed.). Pearson Education.

Eger, L., & Žižka, M. (2024). Industry 4.0, digital transformation and human resource management: Emerging themes and research trends. Copernican economy, 15(3), 1021–1065. https://doi.org/10.24136/oc.3098

El Garem, R. A. (2026). HR digital transformation: Enhancing human resource management through technology. Future Business Journal, 12(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-026-00459-7

Khatoon, U. T., Babgi, M., Hadi, N. T., Mir, R. N., & Velidandi, A. (2025). Technology-driven change in human resource management: Reshaping talent management and organizational design. Administrative Sciences, 15(11), 452. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15110452

Marler, J. H., & Boudreau, J. W. (2017). An evidence-based review of HR analytics. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 28(1), 3–26. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2016.1244699

Putri, A., Nasution, M., Ansori, A., & Yusup, M. (2026). Digital transformation in improving the effectiveness of human resource management in the industrial era 4.0.Journal of Technology and Management, 8(1), 45–58.

Sakib, M. N., Ullah, M. S., & Rahman, M. M. (2025). Mapping the evolution of digital human resource management: A systematic review and bibliometric analysis. Future Business Journal, 11, 154. https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-025-00418-9

Vial, G. (2019). Understanding digital transformation: A review and a research agenda. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 28(2), 118–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsis.2019.01.003

Verhoef, P. C., Broekhuizen, T., Bart, Y., Bhattacharya, A., Dong, J. Q., Fabian, N., & Haenlein, M. (2021). Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda. Journal of Business Research, 122, 889–901. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.09.022

Wahyudi, D., Assyamiri, R., Al Aluf, M., Fadhillah, N., Yolanda, R., & Anshori, M. (2023). The strategic role of human resource management in facing digital transformation.Journal of Digital Economics and Business, 6(1), 67–80.

Wahdaniah, W., Sucianti, R., Ambalele, E., & Tellu, A. H. (2023). Human resource management transformation in the digital age: Recent trends and implications. International Journal of Applied Research and Sustainable Sciences, 1(3), 239–258. https://doi.org/10.59890/ijarss.v1i3.1200

Downloads

Published

2026-10-13

How to Cite

Anjarwati, S., & Hidayatullah, G. B. (2026). The Strategic Role of Human Resource Management in Facing Digital Transformation and Industry 4.0. Journal of Scientific Research, Education, and Technology (JSRET), 5(4), 2622–2632. https://doi.org/10.58526/jsret.v5i4.1258