Dirk van Dierendonck appointed RSM Professor of Human Resource Management

Professor Van Dierendonck will address research into human resources (HR), especially studies with a behavioural perspective. This has become an essential theoretical framework for producing new knowledge about the influence of HR practices and business strategies on employees’ behaviours and their subsequent performance, he says. 

“After years emphasising the strategic importance of HR management (HRM), the most recent development is the call to put the human dimension back,” says Professor Van Dierendonck. “We know now that combining HR practices into a high-performance work system is indeed important for business success. However, most research has been done at the company level, with little attention paid to the impact of HR practices on individual workers and on the role of line management for effective HR implementation.  

Professor Van Dierendonck adds: “I aim to further strengthen RSM’s reputation for high-quality research specific to HRM, with a particular focus on topics related to inclusive HR practices, leadership and leadership development, age management, employee engagement and meaningfulness at work. It will take a multilevel perspective on traditional HR topics, combining insights and methodology at micro and macro levels. The focus will mainly be on content areas that are important HR challenges now. I plan to contribute new knowledge to practice and encourage HR practices grounded in evidence-based management.”

Professor Van Dierendonck’s has published on HR related topics such as leadership, career success, selection, downsizing, measurement development, change, conflict at work, and worker well-being in terms of ‘burn-out’, job satisfaction, organisational commitment and engagement. He was recently featured in an RSM Discovery video on servant leadership .