‘In God We Trust. All Others Must Bring Data’: Unpacking the Influence of Human Resource Analytics on the Strategic Recognition of Human Resource Management

ABSTRACT Existing literature underscores the potential of human resource analytics (HRA) to enhance the strategic recognition of human resource management (HRM) within organisations. However, there has been limited focus on how HRA practitioners attempt to realise this potential. Our study investigates how HRA practitioners use HRA in their daily work to enhance their strategic recognition. Drawing on practice theory and a range of qualitative data, including expert interviews and observations, our analysis not only shows that implementing HRA offers opportunities for improved strategic recognition but also reveals that HRM practitioners showcase the strategic relevance of their analytics capabilities through four forms of tactical manoeuvring: capturing contextual challenges, using guerilla tactics, busting myths and running stealth projects. Our findings contribute to the literature on HRA and the broader discourse on HRM's role and its strategic recognition.