THE IMPACT OF THE INTERNET ON HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
The Internet, based on computer technology, has drawn a great deal of interest in the field of human resources. This paper will project, given today's attitude toward Human Resources departments just to what extent Internet technologies will impact HR departments in the future. To do that, it is essential to provide an overview of the current status of software and the Internet.
Entering the query "Internet and Human Resources Management" in the most popular Web browsers -- Excite, Yahoo!, HotBot and Lycos, reveal several million hits. Using the Boolean terms "Human Resources Management Software" gives a more reasonable universe of some 20,000 sites featuring software for Human resources management.
It is already known that the computer and the Internet are being used to automate most of the related tasks of an HR department of any organization. The automated systems in place strive to reduce the paper work and streamline all the functions of the Personnel Department while interacting with other departments or with other branches of the organization.
One important aspect of personnel services is the pre-recruitment and post-recruitment processes. This is crucial since these systems help the employer in assessing the qualifications, skills, experience etc. of an applicant and either absorbing suitable candidates into the organization, or recommending them to other clients (Alexander, 1995, A1).
Most Internet and Intranet systems today offer the capability to store, retrieve, and query the employee's information in addition to printing necessary reports. Other software programs have been developed that deal with such standard operational procedures as Pay, Leave, Travel, Medical, Requirement/Facilities, Provident Fund/Family Pension/Gratuity,
Allowance/Reimbursement, Loan schemes, Training/Assignment, Appraisal/Promotions, Transfers, Resignation/Retirement...