Artificial intelligence integration in strategic human resource management: A conceptual framework of antecedents, outcomes, and governance mechanisms

Abstract

The proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) necessitates a fundamental rethinking of Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM). While extant research addresses the operational benefits of AI in specific HR functions, a holistic conceptual framework linking organizational prerequisites, strategic AI integration, and multi-level outcomes, moderated by robust governance, is conspicuously absent. Drawing on the Resource-Based View (RBV) and Agency Theory, this paper proposes such a framework. We identify organizational culture, digital maturity, and HR function leadership as key antecedents of AI integration success. We conceptualize organizational performance, innovation capacity, and employee experience as primary outcomes. Crucially, the framework introduces Governance Mechanisms specifically algorithmic accountability, data ethics, and regulatory compliance as critical moderating factors essential for maximizing positive outcomes and mitigating risks. This conceptualization bridges the research gap between technological implementation and strategic human capital alignment, offering a roadmap for both scholars and C-suite executives in the age of intelligent automation.