Towards an understanding of talent management as a phenomenon-driven field using bibliometric and content analysis

Abstract

This review adopts a phenomenon-driven approach in reviewing the talent management (TM) literature, applying methods derived from bibliometrics and content analysis to evaluate the state of the field and derive implications for research and practice unbiased towards a-priori assumptions of which frameworks or methods are most adequate. Based on analyses of publication volume, journals and their impact factors, most cited articles and authors, preferred methods, and represented countries, we assess whether TM should be approached as an embryonic, growth, or mature phenomenon, and examine dominant (i.e., resource-based view, international human resource management, employee assessment, and institutionalism) versus ‘alternative’ (i.e., knowledge management, career management, strength-based approach, and social exchange theory) theoretical frameworks. Our goal is to assist TM researchers in positioning their work more explicitly vis-à-vis current debates in the existing literature and encourage them to think about which approach best fits their research aims, questions, and designsPeer ReviewedPostprint (author’s final draft

Talent management motives and practices in an emerging market: A comparison between MNEs and local firms

“…By considering the resource-based view of the firm (RBV) and the various perspectives of institutional theory, the paper shows the limited explanatory power of RBV in determining the motives for TM and the nature of practice. This is particularly pertinent as RBV tends to be the dominant theoretical framework in TM research (Gallardo-Gallardo et al, 2015). Instead, the paper explains how the different perspectives of institutional theory can be used to understand both the motives for TM and its subsequent practice and thus develop a more nuanced appreciation of TM systems.…”

“…An institutional lens helps to explain the slow pace of change but highlights that change will occur if actors perceive there to be specific benefits or if there are exogenous shocks that force an institutionally consistent response. Thus, the RBV might be the dominant theoretical framework used in the study of TM (Gallardo-Gallardo et al, 2015) but its explanatory power is limited. The motives for TM and the practices that are pursued by organizations are society-bound.…”

High potential programs and employee outcomes

“…In short, Study 2 highlights the significance of employees' perceptions of organizational trust in moderating the mediating relationships between HiPo program participation and employee outcomes via HiPo attributions. In doing so, I address the call in the literature (Gallardo-Gallardo et al, 2015) to examine related factors in the context of TM. This study not only advances our understanding of the underlying mechanism of how HiPo program participation leads to desirable employee outcomes but also examines conditions under which HiPo program participation leads to favourable employee outcomes.…”

“…As such, we have little understanding on the processes through which TM programs impact employees' attitudes and behaviours (Gelens, Dries, Hofmans, & Pepermans, 2015). Recently, Gallardo-Gallardo, Njis, Dries, and Gallo (2015), in their review paper on TM, lament that "the TM field is hardly on the verge of entering the stage of maturity at this point, as a much stronger theoretical basis is required-prescribing relevant variables, measures, and causal relationships-to allow for a shift towards theory-driven research" (p. 275). Hence, research is needed to open the 'black box' by examining the processes through which TM shapes employee attitudes and behaviours (Gallardo-Gallardo, Dries, & González-Cruz, 2013;GallardoGallardo & Thunissen, 2016).…”

Talent Management: A Novel Approach for Developing Innovative Solutions Towards Heritage Communities Development

“…TM status was considered in the mid-level between growing and mature field of research (Gallardo-Gallardo, Njis, Dries and Gallo, 2015). The authors' bibliometric analysis was based on English academic journal publications with 'TM' in abstract, title or keywords.…”