General Systems Precursor Theory as a Supplement to Wren's Framework for Studying Management History: The Case of Human Resource/Personnel Management

Abstract

Human resources/personnel management, a subdiscipline of business administration, is examined as a metadiscipline. Support for the metadisciplinary treatment is found in an evolutionary analysis of the field, drawing from system precursors theory. Extensions of this viewpoint are made and indications of likely future developments in the HR/PM area are discussed. An analysis of the advantages of the treatment of academic sub-disciplines as metadisciplines over traditional “phase-oriented” approach is presented and directions for future research are suggested.

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