Reframing Human Competence in the Digital Transformation Era: A Qualitative Study of Adaptive HR Practices.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31004/riggs.v4i3.3075Keywords:
Adaptive Competence, Digital Transformation, Adaptive HR Practices, Human Competence, Organizational LearningAbstract
The acceleration of digital transformation has fundamentally reshaped the paradigm of human competence, shifting from a focus on technical proficiency to adaptive and continuously evolving capabilities. This study aims to explore how adaptive human resource management (HRM) practices shape and strengthen human competence amid technological disruption. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed, involving 15 key informants—including HR division heads, managers, employees, and HR consultants—from three organizational sectors: public administration, higher education, and financial services. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and document analysis, and analyzed using thematic analysis supported by NVivo 14 software. The findings reveal four core dimensions of adaptive competence in the digital era: digital literacy, cognitive flexibility, collaborative intelligence, and transformative mindset. These dimensions collectively form the Adaptive Human Competence Framework (AHCF), which illustrates the dynamic interplay among individuals, organizations, and technology. The study further highlights that adaptive HR practices—such as learning ecosystems, digital mentoring, and agile performance management—serve as strategic catalysts for fostering trust-based and innovation-driven organizational cultures. Theoretically, this study extends the concept of competence-based HRM by integrating dynamic capabilities and adaptive learning theory. Practically, the findings emphasize the importance of developing collaborative, flexible, and human-centered digital learning ecosystems to ensure sustainable organizational performance in the digital transformation era.
Downloads
References
Aroles, J., Mitev, N., & Vaujany, F.-X. de. (2019). Mapping themes in the study of new work practices. New Technology, Work and Employment, 34(3), 285–299. https://doi.org/10.1111/ntwe.12146
Bai, C., Quayson, M., & Sarkis, J. (2021). COVID-19 pandemic digitization lessons for sustainable development of micro-and small-enterprises. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 27, 1989–2001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2021.04.035
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE Publications.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). Thematic analysis: A practical guide. SAGE Publications.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Dewi, K. T., Sudiarditha, I. K. R., & Handayani, S. (2021). Digital transformation in human resource management: The role of leadership and adaptive culture. Journal of Applied Management Research, 19(4), 623–638. https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.jam.2021.019.04.09
Ghosh, R., & Scott, J. E. (2020). A review of digital transformation in HR: Implications for future work design. Human Resource Development Review, 19(4), 381–404. https://doi.org/10.1177/1534484320959926
Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. SAGE Publications.
Guba, E. G., & Lincoln, Y. S. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. SAGE Publications.
Kane, G. C., Phillips, A. N., Copulsky, J. R., & Andrus, G. R. (2019). The technology fallacy: How people are the real key to digital transformation. MIT Press.
Kane, G. C., Phillips, A. N., Copulsky, J. R., & Andrus, G. R. (2019). The technology fallacy: How people are the real key to digital transformation. MIT Press.
Kravariti, F., & Johnston, K. (2020). Human resource management and the future of work: Exploring the current state of HRM research. Journal of Business Research, 123, 485–499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.10.015
Mikalef, P., Krogstie, J., Pappas, I. O., & Pavlou, P. (2020). Investigating the effects of big data analytics capabilities on firm performance: The mediating role of dynamic capabilities. Information & Management, 57(2), 103207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2019.103207
Mikalef, P., Krogstie, J., Pappas, I. O., & Pavlou, P. (2020). Investigating the effects of big data analytics capabilities on firm performance: The mediating role of dynamic capabilities. Information & Management, 57(2), 103207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2019.103207
Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (2019). The wise company: How companies create continuous innovation. Oxford University Press.
Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (2019). The wise company: How companies create continuous innovation. Oxford University Press.
Parry, E., & Battista, V. (2019). The impact of emerging technologies on work: A review of the evidence and implications for the human resource function. European Journal of International Management, 13(5), 493–511. https://doi.org/10.1504/EJIM.2019.10020759
Parry, E., & Battista, V. (2019). The impact of emerging technologies on work: A review of the evidence and implications for the human resource function. European Journal of International Management, 13(5), 493–511. https://doi.org/10.1504/EJIM.2019.10020759
Pulakos, E. D., Kantrowitz, T., & Schneider, R. J. (2019). Adaptive performance: Navigating rapid change in today’s world of work. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 12(3), 410–415. https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2019.31
Pulakos, E. D., Kantrowitz, T., & Schneider, R. J. (2019). Adaptive performance: Navigating rapid change in today’s world of work. Industrial and Organizational Psychology, 12(3), 410–415. https://doi.org/10.1017/iop.2019.31
Ravenelle, A. J., Kowalski, M. J., & Jona, K. (2021). Digital transformation and human capital: Reframing skills, work, and learning in the platform economy. Human Resource Development International, 24(5), 421–441. https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2021.1960042
Ravenelle, A. J., Kowalski, M. J., & Jona, K. (2021). Digital transformation and human capital: Reframing skills, work, and learning in the platform economy. Human Resource Development International, 24(5), 421–441. https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2021.1960042
Saks, A. M., & Gruman, J. A. (2023). Human resource development in a digital age: Building adaptive learning organizations. Human Resource Development Quarterly, 34(1), 5–28. https://doi.org/10.1002/hrdq.21474
Sia, S. K., Soh, C., & Weill, P. (2021). How big old companies navigate digital transformation. MIS Quarterly Executive, 20(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.17705/2msqe.00034
Sia, S. K., Soh, C., & Weill, P. (2021). How big old companies navigate digital transformation. MIS Quarterly Executive, 20(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.17705/2msqe.00034
Teece, D. J. (2018). Business models and dynamic capabilities. Long Range Planning, 51(1), 40–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2017.06.007
Teece, D. J. (2018). Business models and dynamic capabilities. Long Range Planning, 51(1), 40–49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lrp.2017.06.007
Torraco, R. J., & Lundgren, H. (2020). What HRD professionals need to know about digital transformation. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 22(2), 107–124. https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422320906262
Ulrich, D., & Dulebohn, J. H. (2018). Are we there yet? What’s next for HR? Human Resource Management Review, 28(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2016.09.008
Ulrich, D., & Dulebohn, J. H. (2018). Are we there yet? What’s next for HR? Human Resource Management Review, 28(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2016.09.008
Van der Heijden, B. I. J. M., Boon, J., Van der Klink, M. R., & Meijs, E. (2021). Employability enhancement through innovation and technology: The role of HR practices and learning climate. European Journal of Training and Development, 45(6/7), 589–607. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-02-2020-0035
Van der Heijden, B. I. J. M., Boon, J., Van der Klink, M. R., & Meijs, E. (2021). Employability enhancement through innovation and technology: The role of HR practices and learning climate. European Journal of Training and Development, 45(6/7), 589–607. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-02-2020-0035
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
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
Wang, Y., Kung, L., & Byrd, T. A. (2022). Big data analytics: Understanding its capabilities and potential benefits for HRM. International Journal of Information Management, 62, 102437. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2021.102437
Wibisono, A., & Soetrisno, A. (2020). Adaptive HR practices and organizational learning in digital transformation. Asian Journal of Business and Management, 12(3), 47–59. https://doi.org/10.13106/ajbm.2020.vol12.no3.47
World Medical Association. (2013). Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. JAMA, 310(20), 2191–2194. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.281053
World Medical Association. (2013). Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. JAMA, 310(20), 2191–2194. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2013.281053
Zhou, K., & Wu, F. (2023). Human capital reconfiguration and organizational resilience in the digital era. Human Resource Management Journal, 33(2), 185–204. https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12457
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ajeng Atmanegara, Hasan Aedy, Abdul Hakim
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
