Evolution of HRM: Longitudinal Analysis of HR specialists' skills in Italy

This study explores the evolving profile of Human Resource (HR) professionals in Italy through a longitudinal analysis of the skills possessed by new entrants in the HR area from 2017 to 2024. In the face of rapid digital transformation, sustainability challenges, and post-pandemic organizational changes, the role of HR has shifted significantly from administrative support to strategic business partnership. Based on data from the Excelsior Information System, the research investigates the development of ten key competencies, grouped into four categories—social, intellectual, volitional, and managerial—based on the framework by Kolot et al. (2022). Findings reveal that the most developed competencies among new HR specialists are teamwork, problem-solving, and flexibility/adaptability, with consistently high scores and low standard deviation, indicating strong and homogeneous preparation in these areas. In contrast, the capacity to apply Industry 4.0 technologies and communication in foreign languages remain underdeveloped and highly variable, highlighting key areas for future improvement. Digital competencies, while relatively strong, still show moderate variation across candidates, suggesting that digital readiness is progressing but not yet universally embedded. The analysis also highlights important longitudinal trends. Volitional and managerial competencies show both high average performance and remarkable stability over time, while social and intellectual skills present more heterogeneous trends. The data reflect a clear need for HR professionals to enhance their technological and international communication capabilities, particularly given their strategic role in managing change, fostering cultural alignment, and driving organizational transformation. This research contributes to the understanding of how the HR function is adapting to contemporary demands, emphasizing the need for continuous upskilling and alignment between education, professional training, and labor market expectations. The findings support the call for stronger collaboration between academia and organizations, to ensure that HR professionals are equipped with the necessary skills.