I think it’s more than just intellectual curiosity or self-interest. SHRM gives them a dynamic, evolving field that connects psychology, business strategy, and economics, way more engaging than traditional HR.
One big reason academics are drawn to SHRM is data. Unlike traditional HR, SHRM is measurable, the strategies, employee performance, leadership impact, and even company profitability can be tracked. This makes it an exciting field for research because they can prove theories with real-world numbers.
Also, SHRM is a global phenomenon. As businesses expand worldwide, HR isn’t just about policies—it’s about managing culture, leadership, and talent across borders. Academics love studying these complex, high-stakes challenges and help organizations build something bigger.