Bridging the research-practice gap in modern human resource management

As an applied field of management, human resource management (HRM) scholars strive to impact practice, which is still considered a major challenge. This paper focuses on how academic work can be meaningfully integrated with modern HRM practice by showing how rigorous academic work can successfully inform HRM in practice and how scholars and practitioners can co-create rigorous and relevant HRM knowledge. In particular, we illustrate how theoretical insights connected to the shaping, implementation, embeddedness, impact, and effectiveness of HRM practices are helpful in addressing core questions related to progress in a practical way, well-being, and performance at work. In addition, we show how HRM scholars and practitioners can collectively develop knowledge about emerging HRM topics through co-sponsored PhD research. We conclude by reflecting upon the role of academia and practice in bridging the HRM's science-practice gap. • Effectively integrating academic work with HRM practice is still a major challenge. • Proven theoretical HRM insights help improve well-being and performance at work. • Jointly funded PhD research enables co-creating insights on emerging HRM topics.