Examining Digital Human Resource Practices in Karachi, Pakistan: The Influence of Technological Change, Employee Attitude, and Employee Competency
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.68090/IJBSIVol1Iss2-22Keywords:
Technological Change, Digital Human Resource Practices, Employee Attitude, Employee CompetencyAbstract
This study examines the influence of Technological Change (TC) on Digital Human Resource Practices (DHRP), focusing on the roles of Employee Attitude (EA) and Employee Competency (EC) in Karachi, Pakistan. Data were collected from 244 respondents and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) through SmartPLS 4. The findings reveal that Technological Change significantly and positively influences DHRP and Employee Attitude, while Employee Attitude significantly enhances DHRP. Employee Competency significantly moderates the relationship between Employee Attitude and DHRP, but the negative interaction effect does not support the hypothesized positive moderation. The study provides implications for digital HR implementation and future research.
References
Ahmed, W., Hizam, S. M., & Sentosa, I. (2020). Digital dexterity: employee as consumer approach towards organizational success. Human Resource Development International, 25(5), 631–641. https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2020.1835107
Alabi, M. (2025). Technology acceptance and resistance: Understanding employee adaptation to digital tools. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388960193_Technology_Acceptance_and_Resistance_Understanding_Employee_Adaptation_to_Digital_Tools
Al-Alawi, A. I., Messaadia, M., Mehrotra, A., Sanosi, S. K., Elias, H., et al. (2023). Digital transformation adoption in human resources management during COVID-19. Arab Gulf Journal of Scientific Research, 41(4), 446–461. https://doi.org/10.1108/agjsr-05-2022-0069
Albi, K. (2024). Innovative Strategies in Human Resource Management: Optimizing Organizational performance in the Digital Age. Journal Research of Social Science Economics and Management, 3(10), 1933–1941. https://doi.org/10.59141/jrssem.v3i10.659
Ali, I. M. (2024). A Guide for Positivist Research Paradigm: From Philosophy to Methodology. Idealogy Journal, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.24191/idealogy.v9i2.596
Alzadjali, A. H., Adedeji, M. J., & Adwan, O. M. J. (2023). Adopting a learning organization perspective for improving human resources service quality during digital transformation. Journal of Chinese Human Resource Management, 14(3), 18–35. https://doi.org/10.47297/wspchrmwsp2040-800502.20231403
Ayanponle, L., Okatta, C. G., & Ajiga, D. (2022). AI-powered HR analytics: Transforming workforce optimization and decision-making. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 5(2), 338–346. https://doi.org/10.30574/ijsra.2022.5.2.0057
Bahari, N. A. B. (2025). Understanding the Evolution of HR Systems: From Digitisation to Digital Transformation in Human Resource Management. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388221323_Article_Title_Understanding_the_Evolution_of_HR_Systems_From_Digitisation_to_Digital_Transformation_in_Human_Resource_Management_Article_author
Becker, J., Cheah, J., Gholamzade, R., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2022). PLS-SEM’s most wanted guidance. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 35(1), 321–346. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijchm-04-2022-0474
Bozkus, K. (2023). Organizational Culture Change and Technology: Navigating the Digital transformation. In Business, management and economics. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112903
Cahyadi, A., Marwa, T., Poór, J., Maulana, A., & Szabó, K. (2024). High-Involvement Human Resource Management Practices and Employee Resilience: The Mediating Role of Employee Technology Adaptation—A Case Study of South Sumatra. Administrative Sciences, 14(11), 292. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14110292
Chaudhuri, R., Chatterjee, S., Vrontis, D., Galati, A., & Siachou, E. (2023). Examining the issue of employee intentions to learn and adopt digital technology. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 15(3), 279–294. https://doi.org/10.1108/whatt-02-2023-0020
Cheung, G. W., Cooper-Thomas, H. D., Lau, R. S., & Wang, L. C. (2023). Reporting reliability, convergent and discriminant validity with structural equation modeling: A review and best-practice recommendations. Asia Pacific Journal of Management, 41(2), 745–783. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10490-023-09871-y
Chin, C., & Yao, G. (2023). Convergent validity. Springer eBooks, 1398–1399. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-17299-1_573
Duan, S. X., Deng, H., & Wibowo, S. (2023). Technology affordances for enhancing job performance in digital work. Journal of Computer Information Systems, 64(2), 232–244. https://doi.org/10.1080/08874417.2023.2188497
Ekhsan, M., Badrianto, Y., Suwandi, S., Hermawan, H., & Septiani, A. (2026). Strategic human resource capabilities for digital transformation: Linking talent, leadership, competence and readiness to technology adoption. SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 24(0). https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhrm.v24i0.3327
Fenwick, A., Molnar, G., & Frangos, P. (2024). The critical role of HRM in AI-driven digital transformation: a paradigm shift to enable firms to move from AI implementation to human-centric adoption. Discover Artificial Intelligence, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44163-024-00125-4
Garem, R. A. E. (2026). HR digital transformation: enhancing human resource management through technology. Future Business Journal, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43093-025-00703-7
Ge, X. (2023). Experimentally manipulating mediating processes: Why and how to examine mediation using statistical moderation analyses. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 109, 104507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesp.2023.104507
Ghanad, A. (2023). An overview of quantitative research methods. International journal of multidisciplinary research and analysis, 6(8), 3794-3803. https://doi.org/10.47191/ijmra/v6-i8-52
Hair, J. F., Howard, M. C., & Nitzl, C. (2019). Assessing measurement model quality in PLS-SEM using confirmatory composite analysis. Journal of Business Research, 109, 101–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.11.069
Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., Danks, N. P., & Ray, S. (2021). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using R. In Classroom companion: business. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-80519-7
Hair, J., & Alamer, A. (2022). Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in second language and education research: Guidelines using an applied example. Research Methods in Applied Linguistics, 1(3), 100027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmal.2022.100027
Hanelt, A., Bohnsack, R., Marz, D., & Antunes Marante, C. (2020). A systematic review of the literature on digital transformation: Insights and implications for strategy and organizational change. Journal of management studies, 58(5), 1159-1197. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12639
Henseler, J., Ringle, C. M., & Sarstedt, M. (2014). A new criterion for assessing discriminant validity in variance-based structural equation modeling. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 43(1), 115–135. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11747-014-0403-8
Hoxha, G., Simeli, I., Theocharis, D., Vasileiou, A., & Tsekouropoulos, G. (2024). Sustainable Healthcare Quality and Job Satisfaction through Organizational Culture: Approaches and Outcomes. Sustainability, 16(9), 3603. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093603
Hsiao, M. (2023). Resource integration and firm performance through organizational capabilities for digital transformation. Digital Transformation and Society. https://doi.org/10.1108/dts-07-2023-0050
Husen, S., Wahidah, R. N., & Mustajab, D. (2024). Evolution of HRM Strategies in the Digital Age: A Comprehensive review. Amkop Management Accounting Review., 4(1), 42–58. https://doi.org/10.37531/amar.v4i1.1535
Ivaldi, S., Scaratti, G., & Fregnan, E. (2021). Dwelling within the fourth industrial revolution: organizational learning for new competences, processes and work cultures. Journal of Workplace Learning, 34(1), 1–26. https://doi.org/10.1108/jwl-07-2020-0127
Jimoh, A. L. (2025). Digital HR systems adoption and administrative efficiency in public institutions: the role of employee digital literacy. Industrial and Commercial Training, 57(4), 566–580. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict-05-2025-0072
Kambur, E., & Yildirim, T. (2022). From traditional to smart human resources management. International Journal of Manpower, 44(3), 422–452. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijm-10-2021-0622
Kammeyer-Mueller, J. D., Rubenstein, A. L., & Barnes, T. S. (2023). The role of attitudes in work behavior. Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior, 11(1), 221–250. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-101022-101333
Kero, C. A., & Bogale, A. T. (2023). A systematic review of Resource-Based view and dynamic capabilities of firms and future research avenues. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 18(10), 3137–3154. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijsdp.181016
Kircher, R., & Zipp, L. (2022). Questionnaires to elicit quantitative data. In Cambridge University Press eBooks (pp. 129–144). https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108867788.012
Lim, W. M. (2024). What is quantitative research? An overview and guidelines. Australasian Marketing Journal, 33(3), 325–348. https://doi.org/10.1177/14413582241264622
Lou, Y., Hong, A., & Li, Y. (2024). Assessing the Role of HRM and HRD in Enhancing Sustainable Job Performance and Innovative Work Behaviors through Digital Transformation in ICT Companies. Sustainability, 16(12), 5162. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16125162
Lu, Y. (2024). Impact of Digital Technologies on Organizational Change Strategies: A review. Research Journal in Business and Economics., 2(1), 01–11. https://doi.org/10.61424/rjbe.v2i1.128
Lubis, A. S., Lumbanraja, P., Absah, Y., & Silalahi, A. S. (2022). Human resource competency 4.0 and its impact on Bank Indonesia employees’ readiness for transformational change. Journal of Organizational Change Management, 35(4/5), 749–779. https://doi.org/10.1108/jocm-02-2021-0045
Mansour, A., Rowlands, H., Al-Gasawneh, J. A., Nusairat, N. M., Al-Qudah, S., Shrouf, H., & Akhorshaideh, A. H. (2022). Perceived benefits of training, individual readiness for change, and affective organizational commitment among employees of national jordanian banks. Cogent Business & Management, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2021.1966866
Mardikaningsih, R., & Wardoyo, D. T. W. (2024). The Role of Technology in Human Resource Development for Sustainability: A Literature Review on Digital Innovation. Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society, 3(3), 20-26. https://inti.ejournalmeta.com/index.php/inti/article/view/74
Mattajang, R. (2023). Organizational agility: HR Practices for facing rapid change in the digital era. Jurnal Info Sains: Informatika dan Sains, 13(03), 829-837. https://ejournal.seaninstitute.or.id/index.php/InfoSains/article/view/3475
Meske, C., & Junglas, I. (2020). Investigating the elicitation of employees’ support towards digital workplace transformation. Behaviour and Information Technology, 40(11), 1120–1136. https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929x.2020.1742382
Mollah, M. A., Pal, D., Amin, M. B., Rahaman, M. A., & Abdullah, M. (2024). Effect of technological culture and knowledge sharing on organizational performance: The mediating role of digital innovation and self-efficacy as moderation. Journal of Infrastructure Policy and Development, 8(12), 7594. https://doi.org/10.24294/jipd.v8i12.7594
Nicolás-Agustín, Á., Jiménez-Jiménez, D., & Maeso-Fernandez, F. (2021). The role of human resource practices in the implementation of digital transformation. International Journal of Manpower, 43(2), 395–410. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijm-03-2021-0176
Obiki-Osafiele, A. N., Efunniyi, C. P., Abhulimen, A. O., Osundare, O. S., Agu, E. E., et al. (2024). Theoretical models for enhancing operational efficiency through technology in Nigerian businesses. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, 6(8), 1969–1989. https://doi.org/10.51594/ijarss.v6i8.1478
Obiki-Osafiele, A. N., Efunniyi, C. P., Abhulimen, A. O., Osundare, O. S., Agu, E. E., et al. (2024). Theoretical models for enhancing operational efficiency through technology in Nigerian businesses. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, 6(8), 1969–1989. https://doi.org/10.51594/ijarss.v6i8.1478
Ogbe, O., & Mba, J. U. (2024). Cloud-Based HRIS Solutions: Transforming human resource management in a hybrid workforce era. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 5(11), 5500–5515. https://doi.org/10.55248/gengpi.5.1124.3342
Patel, S., & Mishra, P. (2023). New skills for sustainability in the socially challenging era of digital transformation: Opportunities and challenges. In Handbook of research on digitalization solutions for social and economic needs (pp. 305–312). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-6684-4102-2.ch015
Pea-Assounga, J. B. B., & Sibassaha, J. L. B. (2024). Impact of technological change, employee competency, and law compliance on digital human resource practices: Evidence from congo telecom. Sustainable Futures, 7, 100195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2024.100195
Radu, C. (2023). Fostering a positive workplace culture: Impacts on performance and agility. In IntechOpen eBooks. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1003259
Rubel, M. R. B., Kee, D. M. H., & Rimi, N. N. (2023). Promoting technology innovation performance through high involvement HRM, technology adaptation and innovativeness. Business Process Management Journal, 29(5), 1277–1302. https://doi.org/10.1108/bpmj-10-2022-0526
Rustam, A., Astuti, I. Y., & Safitri, U. R. (2024). Strategies for Improving Employee Competencies in the Digitalization Era through Training and Human Resource Development. The Journal of Academic Science, 1(7), 849–857. https://doi.org/10.59613/bewkpf69
Serafimova, V., & Vasilev, V. (2024). Digital culture as a competitive advantage in the sustainable development of organizations. Agora international journal of economical sciences, 18(1), 210-222. https://doi.org/10.15837/aijes.v18i1.6724
Shahiduzzaman, M. (2025). Digital Maturity in Transforming Human Resource Management in the Post-COVID Era: A Thematic analysis. Administrative Sciences, 15(2), 51. https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci15020051
Sharma, R. C., & Kohli, D. (2023). Embracing Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development: The Synergy between Learning Organizations, Human Resource Management, and Service Quality. Journal of Chinese Human Resource Management, 14(3), 3–17. https://doi.org/10.47297/wspchrmwsp2040-800501.20231403
Shiferaw, R. M., & Birbirsa, Z. A. (2025). Digital technology and human resource practices: A systematic literature review. Heliyon, 11(2), e41946. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41946
Silvestri, R., Adamashvili, N., Fiore, M., & Galati, A. (2023). How blockchain technology generates a trust-based competitive advantage in the wine industry: a resource based view perspective. European Business Review, 35(5), 713–736. https://doi.org/10.1108/ebr-10-2022-0217
Sony, M., & Mekoth, N. (2022). Employee adaptability skills for Industry 4.0 success: a road map. Production & Manufacturing Research, 10(1), 24–41. https://doi.org/10.1080/21693277.2022.2035281
Sun, W., Chen, K., & Mei, J. (2024). Integrating the resource-based view and dynamic capabilities: a comprehensive framework for sustaining competitive advantage in dynamic markets. EPRA International Journal of Economic and Business Review, 12(9), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.36713/epra18157
Taher, A., Shimul, M. M. H., Khan, S., & Khandker, S. (2025). Adoption challenges of digital transformation of human resource management in Bangladesh’s healthcare system: a cross-sectional mixed-methods evaluation. BMC Health Services Research, 25(1), 1383. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-13549-0
Thite, M. (2020). Digital human resource development: where are we? Where should we go and how do we go there? Human Resource Development International, 25(1), 87–103. https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2020.1842982
Thomas, D., & Zubkov, P. (2023). Quantitative research designs. Quantitative research for practical theology, 5(6), 103-114.
Thu, S. H. T., Pham, M., & Luc, H. (2025). Leveraging digital human resource management to optimize organizational performance in Vietnam. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05113-2
Trenerry, B., Chng, S., Wang, Y., Suhaila, Z. S., Lim, S. S., et al. (2021). Preparing Workplaces for Digital Transformation: An Integrative Review and Framework of Multi-Level Factors. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 620766. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.620766
Trivedi, P., Akhter, F., Khan, A., Shajrawi, A. A., Ratkovic, N., et al. (2023). The role of technology in enhancing business processes. Journal of Management & Educational Research Innovation, 1(1), 33-51. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10055077
Vial, G. (2019). Understanding digital transformation: A review and a research agenda. The Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 28(2), 118–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsis.2019.01.003
Vrontis, D., Christofi, M., Pereira, V., Tarba, S., Makrides, A., et al. (2023). Artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced technologies and human resource management: a systematic review. In Routledge eBooks (pp. 172–201). https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003377085-7
Wei, Y., Meng, Z., Liu, N., & Mao, J. (2024). Research on the impact of hard technology innovation on the high-quality development of SRDI enterprises: based on the moderating role of digital transformation. Asia Pacific Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 19(1), 24–41. https://doi.org/10.1108/apjie-04-2024-0069
Willie, M. (2024). Leveraging Digital Resources: A Resource-Based View Perspective. Golden Ratio of Human Resource Management, 5(1), 01–14. https://doi.org/10.52970/grhrm.v5i1.415
Zaidi, S. A. B., Ghazmeen, Faheem, M., & Afsar, S. (2026). The Role of HR in Overcoming Employee Resistance during Organizational Change: Insights from Digital Transformation. The Critical Review of Social Sciences Studies, 4(1), 315–336. https://doi.org/10.59075/75dk9k51
Zhang, J., & Chen, Z. (2023). Exploring Human Resource Management Digital Transformation in the digital Age. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 15(1), 1482–1498. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-023-01214-y
Zhang, X., Wang, P., & Peng, L. (2024). Developing a competency model for human resource directors (HRDs) in exponential organizations undergoing digital transformation. Sustainability, 16(23), 10540. https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310540
Zia, A., Memon, M. A., Mirza, M. Z., Iqbal, Y. M. J., & Tariq, A. (2024). Digital job resources, digital engagement, digital leadership, and innovative work behaviour: a serial mediation model. European Journal of Innovation Management, 28(8), 3192–3216. https://doi.org/10.1108/ejim-04-2023-0311
Zvarimwa, C., & Zimuto, J. (2022). Valuable, rare, inimitable, non-substitutable and exploitable (VRINE) resources on competitive advantage. International Journal of Business & Management Sciences, 8(1), 9-22. https://doi.org/10.53555/ephbms.v8i1.1915
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal of Business Strategy and Innovation

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

