Indeed, the 4th industrial revolution (4IR) has redefined the world of work. A new set of skills needs to be defined and made available to organisations. Human resource management practices now operate in a complex, interconnected, unpredictable, and evolving environment. The question that one needs to answer is: how can HR align its functions to meet the demands of the fourth IR? It is prudent that human resource functions evolve quickly and adapt to changing demands. Research purpose: This paper seeks to unpack the changes that have been brought about by the 4IR and suggest ways in which HR professionals in Lesotho can align with this inevitable era of digitalisation. Motivation for the study: Due to the dynamics and transformations that have been brought about by the 4IR, this study was motivated by the need to understand the effects of the 4IR in small economies on the HR function and offer lessons to embrace change. Research approach: The research was qualitative in nature, and data was collected purposefully from journal articles, newspapers, and book chapters. Content analysis was used for the data analysis. Research findings: The effects of the 4IR through digitalisation disruptions have been felt across all corporate functions, and HR is no exception. It has had a massive influence on both the economy and the labour force and impacted employee roles in terms of health, mobility, working hours, personal life, and general administration. HR leaders play a critical role in ensuring that businesses are able to successfully adopt and deploy new technologies. Contributions: The research unpacks the effects of 4IR and gives practical lessons for HR professionals in Lesotho.

This study investigates the integration of Yao ethnic cultural history into sustainable jewelry design and its implications for human resource planning, organizational management, and employee engagement techniques within creative sectors. The research emphasizes new approaches to improving employee well-being, work happiness, and organizational commitment by integrating cultural authenticity with circular economy concepts. The study specifically aims to (1) use Yao cultural elements to strengthen the organization’s identity and boost employee pride, (2) evaluate how consumers respond to circular economy ideas and how these ideas impact employee motivation and performance, and (3) explore how sustainability efforts based on culture affect consumer behavior and the morale of the workforce. We used a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative interviews with fifteen experts in design, sustainability, and cultural heritage with a quantitative survey of 240 participants. Research indicates that using Yao motifs—such as traditional needlework and nature-inspired designs—enhances market attractiveness and promotes more employee alignment with business ideals, hence improving satisfaction and performance. The increasing customer acceptance of recycled and upcycled items enhances employees’ sense of purpose and engagement. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating sustainable HR practices, including culturally oriented training and open ethical principles, to enhance labor relations and foster equity. Utilizing cultural heritage in design innovation serves as a strategic instrument to enhance human capital and promote long-term organizational sustainability.

HRIS is a crucial tool for HR departments as it provides a digital platform for managing and automating various HR functions. HRIS is a comprehensive solution that integrates HRM functions with IT, enhancing the daily operations of HR professionals. In today’s knowledge-based economy, business success relies heavily on the performance of its human resources, which are essential in a rapidly changing global environment. Businesses continually strive to stay ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving technology landscape to thrive in the market. Some scholars have highlighted the negative impact of Human Resource Information Systems, primarily focusing on the invasion of privacy as the main disadvantage. The study indicates that implementing a Human Resource Information System (HRIS) enhances business performance in the tourism and hospitality industry of the Maldives. It highlights that user satisfaction and ease of use are positively influenced by these systems. The research surveyed 211 professionals and managers from the Maldives tourism and hospitality sector using a Likert Scale questionnaire to assess the impact of the HRIS on business performance. The study used SPSS 22.0 to analyze the impact of the Human Resource Information System (HRIS) on the dependent variable. The findings indicate that managerial personnel and human resource specialists in organisations find a user-friendly and satisfying HRIS motivating and beneficial for enhancing their performance. Organisations implement the HRIS to achieve their goals, identify system shortcomings, and develop strategies to improve business performance in the Maldives’ tourism and hospitality sector.

The main purpose of this paper was to examine the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on employee well-being and work dynamics. Using qualitative methodology, three semi-structured interviews were conducted to investigate the implications of generative AI on employee outcomes such as efficiency, job satisfaction, ethical considerations, and work-life balance. The findings highlighted the potential benefits and risks associated with generative AI implementation in the workplace. The study contributed to the literature by adopting a qualitative approach, allowing in-depth exploration of individual experiences with generative AI in the workplace. The study discussed the implications for employers, employees, and society.

This study compares Human Resource Development (HRD) in Vietnam and Malaysia, looking at their methods, problems, and institutional frameworks in the context of ASEAN economic integration and Industry 4.0. Based on Cho and McLean’s (2004) integrated HRD model, this paper looks at recent research (from 2018 to 2023) to look at important topics such globalization, demographic changes, vocational training alignment, and technology disruption. Vietnam has a vast workforce, but it still has problems with low productivity, skill mismatches, and not being ready for the global market. On the other hand, Malaysia’s institutional HRD structures are making more progress, even though its workforce is getting older and not everyone is adapting to digital transformation at the same rate. The study shows that we need HRD policies that are tailored to each industry, training that is delivered in a decentralized way, and stronger relationships between the public and commercial sectors. It also stresses how important it is for national HRD policies to include global competences and initiatives that help everyone learn new skills. The study adds a unique framework for comparing HRD and gives policymakers, educators, and practitioners useful information, even though it is constrained by its use of secondary data. Future study should use mixed-methods to confirm results and look into interventions that work in specific situations. The study shows that Vietnam and Malaysia need personalized, inclusive, and forward thinking HRD systems to produce strong and competitive workforces in the post-pandemic, digital driven global economy.