The purpose of this study is to analyze the existing literature on human resource management (HRM) from all the research papers published in The International Journal of Human Resource Management between 2000 and 2012. The authors apply bibliometric methods to identify the main research lines within this scientific field; in other words, its ‘intellectual structure’. Social network analysis is also used to perform a visualization of this structure. The results of the analysis allow us to define the different research lines or fronts which shape the intellectual structure of research on HRM.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper – based on the conviction that the human resource is by far the most strategic or distinctive resource available to firms competing in hospitality and tourism industries – is to objectively analyze the research on HR developed in the domain of tourism and hospitality management between 1997 and 2016. The aim is to “identify” and “represent” the “intellectual structure” of the field examined.Design/methodology/approach: “Bibliometric” methods are utilized: document citation and co-citation analyses, as well as social network analysis (SNA).Findings: The paper provides an interesting inventory of the theoretical foundations of knowledge developed around HR in the field under study by different theoretical frameworks and scientific disciplines, such as marketing or psychology. However, its main contribution is to identify an important gap in the literature in the specific area of management.Research limitations/implications: The present study has several limitations resulting from the utilization of “bibliometric” methods applied in the analyses performed. As for the implications, these are more than obvious.Originality/value: The authors believe that research developed here provides – through a kind of “meta-analysis” – a valuable outlet from which future researchers could benefit, giving them easier access to the theoretical foundations on which HR research in the field in question is based. This work also suggests some paths for future development or research in the field within the context of hospitality and tourism industries.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore whether the use of high-performance work systems (HPWSs) facilitates the development of organizational ambidexterity directly or through a mediating variable such as ambidextrous organizational culture.Design/methodology/approach: The theoretical model and the hypotheses proposed were tested using a sample of 100 Spanish hotels. The data analysis method used was the partial least squares.Findings: The results of the research confirm that HPWSs exert a direct influence on organizational ambidexterity. HPWSs shape and integrate exploitative and exploratory activities through the construction of a culture that promotes organizational diversity and shared vision, which are needed to shape a suitable context for ambidexterity. Therefore, ambidextrous organizational culture emerges as a mediating variable between HPWSs and organizational ambidexterity. Finally, the ambidexterity of hotels has a positive impact on their performance.Originality/value: The present paper presents new alternatives when undertaking research on organizational ambidexterity. More specifically, this research incorporates a mediator variable called ambidextrous organizational culture between HPWSs and organizational ambidexterity, which has not been considered before.