Digitalization in the Field of Human Resources in Azerbaijan: The North-West `Example

Abstract

The term digitalization has affected all areas of daily life. This rapid integration and its effects have not bypassed the field of human resources (HR). With the continuous updating of technologies and the new opportunities created by economic resources, digitalization also influences the management functions of HR. The main purpose of this study is to determine the directions defined for digitalization in Azerbaijan and to identify the steps taken in human resource management (HRM) in public and private institutions operating in the North-West region of the country. In this research, initial steps taken for the development of a digital society supporting modern technological fields and the efforts of the Azerbaijani government to improve its systems in the field of digitalization are particularly emphasized. In the study, qualitative, logical generalization, semi-structured survey, and comparative methods were used. The practical significance of the article is to identify the current state of digitalization in HRM in public institutions operating in Azerbaijan, particularly in the North-West region. Based on the research, it was concluded that the limited number of academic studies conducted on the relationship between HRM and digitalization in public institutions in Azerbaijan is one of the study’s main limitations. As an information base for the study, foreign literature, authors’ articles, the statistical compendium “Digital Development of Azerbaijan”, reports from the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the Global Digital Economy Report, and a number of online resources were used. The research results show that certain steps have been taken in institutions operating in the country toward the digitalization of HRM functions. Particularly in the North-West region, digitalization in this field is expanding; however, not all organizations have yet achieved full integration.