Systematic Review of Human Resource Management Demand in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era: Implication of Upskilling, Reskilling and Deskilling

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Abstract

Human resources are essential to an organization's performance, competitiveness, and sustainability in 
any industrial revolution era. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) integrates advanced technologies 
and the convergence of physical, digital, and biological systems, offering HR professionals 
opportunities and threats. This study examines the implication of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) 
on upskilling, reskilling, and deskilling of Human resource management. The study adopted a 
systematic review of relevant literature on the various issues addressed in the research. The study 
critically analyzed 38 relevant research journals, articles, publications, opinions, and editorials on 
human resource management demand in the fourth industrial revolution era. The study revealed that 
4IR technologies, such as AI and robotics, could accomplish jobs more effectively than humans, leading 
to deskilling. Adopting 4IR technologies will also require HR personnel to upskill in digital literacy, 
data analysis, programming, cyber-security, HR software analytics, emotional intelligence, and critical 
thinking. The study also revealed that HR personnel would need to reskill to acquire proficiency using 
4IR technologies. The study concludes that adopting 4IR technologies will result in upskilling, 
reskilling, and deskilling of human resources. The study recommends that organizations invest in 
training and development programs to upskill and reskill HR personnel, regular skills assessments to 
identify obsolete skills, implementing training programs that meet the changing needs of the job, and 
developing a comprehensive workforce development strategy to consider alternative approaches to job 
design that prioritize the development of new skills and knowledge.