The state of human resource (HR) competency research: Charting the research development of HR competencies and examining the signals from industry in New Zealand

Human resource (HR) competencies for HR professionals have been implicated as an indicator of organisations' pursuit of strategic human resource management (SHRM). Utilising signalling theory, this research note charts the development of HR competency research and examines the signals given by organisations in the recruitment of HR professionals in New Zealand. This research note reports on the signals that organisations recruiting HR professionals give in their job advertisements. Findings indicate that the development of HR competency research has progressed to more strategic concerns and focussed on the management of competencies by organisations. In contrast, signals by organisations appear to emphasise functional rather than strategic competencies. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.