The increasing integration of robotization and automation in the workplace is profoundly transforming the way organizations manage their workforce. As robotics, smart technologies, and artificial intelligence (AI) become more prevalent across industries, Human Resource Management (HRM) faces new challenges and opportunities. While some research has examined these dynamics, the literature remains fragmented, lacking a comprehensive overview of the field's
evolution, key themes, and theoretical advancements.
This study aims to systematically map the evolving research discourse on HRM and robotization, identifying key research areas, intellectual structures, and emerging trends. By doing so, we provide a structured synthesis of the existing knowledge base and highlight potential avenues for future research.
To achieve this, we employ the Bibliometric-Systematic Literature Review (B-SLR) methodology, which combines bibliometric analysis techniques with systematic review best practices (e.g., PRISMA). A search query on Scopus was designed using robotization-related and HRM-related keywords, retrieving 2840 articles, which were refined through the B-SLR structured selection process, leading to a final dataset of 281 studies. Using Bibliometrix (R) and VOSviewer, we performed co-citation analysis, bibliographic coupling, and keyword co-occurrence mapping.
The results indicate a growing research interest in recent years, with the USA, Germany, and China as leading contributors. The thematic evolution analysis shows a shift from automated task performance to trust in AI, with recent emphasis on sustainability and decision-making in human-machine interactions. The cluster analysis on keyword co-occurrence networks identified three main groups: a) Automation productivity; b) HRM for Industry 4.0; c) Trust in AI.
Our findings highlight the growing importance of HRM practices in dealing with robotization advancements, emphasizing the need to theoretically understand and practically support both organizational strategies and employee perceptions for effective human-machine collaboration. By integrating bibliometric insights with a systematic review, this study maps key intellectual structures and emerging trends in HRM and robotization, providing insights for researchers andpractitionerspreparing forthefutureofworkinanautomatedera.