AI-powered chatbots in recruitment from Indian HR professionals’ perspectives: Qualitative study

Authors

  • Mohand Tuffaha
  • Bharti Pandya
  • M Rosario Perello-Marin

Keywords:

Artificial intelligence; human resource management; chatbots; recruitment; India.

Abstract

Although artificial intelligence (AI) is broadly extended worldwide, full potential is not being reached in human resource management (HRM) so far. In fact, there is still a gap in analyzing the usefulness and limitations of chatbots in recruitment. This piece of research attempts to cover part of this gap paying particular attention to the Indian market. A qualitative analysis has been undertaken in selected Indian companies. One of the main conclusions drawn from the study is the need for mature chatbots in recruitment. Although chatbot has several features from HR professionals’ perspectives, our paper reveals that chatbot has particular limitations in hiring mid-level and senior-level positions. Furthermore, there is a gap between what are Indian IT companies offering for recruiters and what are recruiters know about the latest development of the chatbots. The paper contributes as a food for thought for HR managers and academia by provides an extensive analysis of the usefulness and limitations of chatbots in the recruitment process in India.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Acikgoz, Y. (2019). Employee recruitment and job search: towards a multi-level integration. Human Resource Management Review, 29(1), 1-13. doi:10.1016/j.hrmr.2018.02.009

AIMA. (2018). How AI is reshaping jobs in India. Retrieved February 4, 2022, from PwC: https://www.pwc.in/assets/pdfs/publications/2018/how-ai-is-reshaping-jobs-in-india.pdf

Albert, E. T. (2019). AI in talent acquisition: a review of AI-applications used in recruitment and selection.

Strategic HR Review, 18(5), 215-221. doi:10.1108/SHR-04-2019-0024

Ashfaq, M., Yun, J., Yu, S., & Loureiro, S. (2020). I, Chatbot: Modeling the determinants of users’ satisfaction and continuance intention of AI-powered service agents. Telematics and Informatics, 54. doi:10.1016/j.tele.2020.101473

Barber, A. (1998). Recruiting employees: individual and organizational perspectives. SAGE Publications.

Black, J. S., & van Esch, P. (2020). AI-enabled recruiting: what is it and how should a manager use it? Business Horizons, 63(2), 215-226. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2019.12.001

Black, J., & van Esch, P. (2021). AI-enabled recruiting in the war for talent. Business Horizons, 64(4), 513-524. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2021.02.015

Bluhm, D. J., Harman, W., Lee, T. W., & Mitchell, T. R. (2011). Qualitative research in management: a decade of progress. Journal of Management Studies, 48(8), 1866-1891. doi:10.1111/j.1467-6486.2010.00972.x

Bondarouk, T., & Ruel, H. (2009). Electronic human resource management: challenges in the digital era. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 20(3), 505–514. doi:10.1080/09585190802707235

Bongard, A. (2019). Automating talent acquisition: smart recruitment, predictive hiring algorithms, and the data-driven nature of artificial intelligence. Psychosociological Issues in Human Resource Management, 7(1), 36-41.

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77-101. doi:10.1191/1478088706qp063oa

Budhwar, P., Malik, h., De Silva, M., & Thevisuthan, P. (2022). Artificial intelligence – challenges andopportunities for international HRM: a review andresearch agenda. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 33(6), 1065–1097. doi:10.1080/09585192.2022.2035161

Bughin, J., Herring, L., Mayhew, H., Seong, J., & Allas, T. (2019, June 10). Artificial intelligence in the United Kingdom: prospects and challenges. Retrieved February 4, 2022, from McKinsey Global Institute: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/artificial-intelligence/artificial-intelligence-in-the- united-kingdom-prospects-and-challenges

Campbell, C., Sands, S., Ferraro, C., Tsao, H.-Y. (., & Mavrommatis, A. (2020). From data to action: how marketers can leverage AI. Business Horizons, 63(2), 227-243. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2019.12.002

Canhoto, A., & Clear, F. (2020). Artificial intelligence and machine learning as business tools: A framework for diagnosing value destruction potential. Business Horizons, 63(2), 183-193. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2019.11.003

Chapman, D. S., & Webster, J. (2003). The use of technologies in the recruiting, screening, and selection processes for job candidates. International Journal Of Selection And Assessment, 11(2-3), 113-120. doi:10.1111/1468-2389.00234

CIPD. (2016, September 1). Attitudes to employability and talent. Retrieved February 4, 2022, from CIPD: https://www.cipd.co.uk/Images/attitudes-to-employability-and-talent_2016_tcm18-14261.pdf

Darwish, T., Wood, G., Singh, S., & Singh, R. (2020). Human Resource Management in India: performance and complementarity. European Management Review, 17, 373–389. doi:10.1111/emre.12367

Flanagan, F., & Walker, M. (2021). How can unions use Artificial Intelligence to build power? The use of AI chatbots for labour organising in the US and Australia. New Technology, Work and Employment, 36(2), 159–176. doi:10.1111/ntwe.12178

Frey, C., & Osborne, M. (2017). The future of employment: how susceptible are jobs to computerisation?

Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 114, 254-280. doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2016.08.019

Grabara, J., Kot, S., & Pigoń, Ł. (2016). Recruitment process optimization: chosen findings from practice in Poland. Journal of International Studies, 9(3), 217-228. doi:10.14254/2071-8330.2016/9-3/17

Haugeland, I. K., Følstad, A., Taylor, C., & Bjørkli, C. A. (2022). Understanding the user experience of customer service chatbots: An experimental study of chatbot interaction design. International Journal of Human

- Computer Studies, 161. doi:10.1016/j.ijhcs.2022.102788

Hesse-Biber, S. (2010). Qualitative approaches to mixed methods practice. Qualitative Inquiry, 16(6), 455 –

doi:10.1177/1077800410364611

Hill, J., Ford, W., & Farreras, I. (2015). Real conversations with artificial intelligence: a comparison between human–human online conversations and human–chatbot conversations. Computers in Human Behavior, 49, 245-250. doi:10.1016/j.chb.2015.02.026

Indeed. (2020). Pros and cons of recruiting chatbots. Retrieved June 15, 2020, from Indeed: https://www.indeed.com/recruitment/c/info/pros-and-cons-of-recruiting-chatbots

Jarrahi, M. H. (2018). Artificial intelligence and the future of work: Human-AI symbiosis in organizational decision making. Business Horizons, 61(4), 577-586. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2018.03.007

Jatobá, M., Santos, J., Gutierriz, I., Moscon, D., Fernandes, P. O., & Teixeira, J. P. (2019). Evolution of artificial intelligence research in human resources. Procedia Computer Science, 164, 137-142. doi:10.1016/j.procs.2019.12.165

Javaid, A. (2021, June 23). List of official languages of indian states and union territories. Retrieved February 5, 2022, from Jagran Prakashan: https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/list-of-official- languages-of-indian-states-and-union-territories-1624022980-1

Ketokivi, M., & Choi, T. (2014). Renaissance of case research as a scientific method. Journal of Operations Management, 32(5), 232-240. doi:10.1016/j.jom.2014.03.004

Kim, J., York, K., & Lim, J.-S. (2011). The role of brands in recruitment: A mixed-brand strategy approach.

Marketing Letters, 22, 165–179. doi:10.1007/s11002-010-9119-9

Kim, Y. (2010). The pilot study in qualitative inquiry: identifying issues and learning lessons for culturally competent research. Qualitative Social Work, 10(2), 190–206. doi:10.1177/1473325010362001

Kitsios, F., & Kamariotou, M. (2021). Artificial intelligence and business strategy towards digital transformation: a research agenda. Sustainability, 13(4). doi:10.3390/su13042025

Kshetri, N. (2021). Evolving uses of artificial intelligence in human resource management in emerging economies in the global South: some preliminary evidence. Management Research Review. doi:10.1108/MRR-03-2020-0168

Kulkarni , S., & Che, X. (2019). Intelligent software tools for recruiting. Journal of International Technology and Information Management, 28(2), 2-16.

Laumer, S., Maier, C., & Eckhardt, A. (2015). The impact of business process management and applicant tracking systems on recruiting process performance: an empirical study. Journal of Business Economics, 85, 421–453. doi:10.1007/s11573-014-0758-9

Lee, I., & Shin, Y. (2020). Machine learning for enterprises: Applications, algorithm selection, and challenges.

Business Horizons, 63(2), 157-170. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2019.10.005

Leech, B. (2002). Asking questions: techniques for semistructured interviews. PS: Political Science & Politics, 35(4), 665-668. doi:10.1017/S1049096502001129

Lexcellent, C. (2019). Artificial intelligence versus human intelligence. Cham: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-030- 21445-6

Magistretti, S., Dell’Era, C., & Petruzzelli, A. M. (2019). How intelligent is Watson? enabling digital transformation through artificial intelligence. Business Horizons, 62(6), 819-829. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2019.08.004

Majumder, S., & Mondal, A. (2021). Are chatbots really useful for human resource management? International Journal of Speech Technology, 24, 969–977. doi:10.1007/s10772-021-09834-y

McKinsey. (2017, January 1). A future that works: automation, employment, and productivity. Retrieved February 4, 2022, from McKinsey Global Institute: https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/featured%20insights/Digital%20Disruption/Harnessin g%20automation%20for%20a%20future%20that%20works/MGI-A-future-that-works-Executive- summary.ashx

Moeuf, A., Lamouri, S., Pellerin, R., Tamayo-Giraldo,, S., Tobon-Valenci, E., & Eburdy, R. (2020). Identification of critical success factors, risks and opportunities of Industry 4.0 in SMEs. International Journal of Production Research, 58(5), 1384-1400. doi:10.1080/00207543.2019.1636323

Mohan, R. (2019). The Chatbot revolution and the Indian HR professionals. International Journal Of Information And Computing Science, 6(3), 489-499. doi:16.10089.IJICS.2019.V6I3.18.2931

Myers, M. (2019). Qualitative research in business and management 3rd edition. Sage Publications. Nawaz, N. (2019). How far have we come with the study of artificial intelligence for recruitment process.

International Journal Of Scientific & Technology Research, 8(7), 488-493.

Nawaz, N., & Gomes, A. M. (2019). Artificial intelligence chatbotsare new recruiters. International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications, 10(9).

Pahos, N., & Galanaki, E. (2019). Staffing practices and employee performance: the role of age. Evidence-based HRM, 7(1), 93-112. doi:10.1108/EBHRM-01-2018-0007

Pandya, B., & Al Janahi, M. M. (2021). The intervention of artificial intelligence in the recruitment function in UAE’s hospitality industry. Transnational Marketing Journal(1), 89-105.

Paschen, U., Pitt, C., & Kietzmann, J. (2020). Artificial intelligence: building blocks and an innovation typology.

Business Horizons, 63(2), 147-155. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2019.10.004

Patton, M. Q. (2005). Qualitative research. Encyclopedia of Statistics in Behavioral Science. doi:10.1002/0470013192.bsa514

Paulus , T., & Lester, J. (2016). ATLAS.ti for conversation and discourse analysis studies. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 405-428. doi:10.1080/13645579.2015.1021949

Pessach, D., Singer, G., Avrahami, D., Ben-Gal, H., Shmueli, E., & Ben-Gal, I. (2020). Employees recruitment: A prescriptive analytics approach via machine learning and mathematical programming. Decision Support Systems, 134. doi:10.1016/j.dss.2020.113290

Podgorodnichenko, N., Edgar, F., & McAndrew, I. (2020). The role of HRM in developing sustainable organizations: contemporary challenges and contradictions. Human Resource Management Review,

(3). doi:10.1016/j.hrmr.2019.04.001

Przegalinska, A., Ciechanowski, L., Stroz, A., Gloor, P., & Mazurek, G. (2019). In bot we trust: a new methodology of chatbot performance measures. Business Horizons, 62(6), 785-797. doi:10.1016/j.bushor.2019.08.005

PWC. (2018, May). Workforce of the future: The competing forces shaping 2030. Retrieved February 4, 2022, from PWC: https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/people-organisation/workforce-of-the- future/workforce-of-the-future-the-competing-forces-shaping-2030-pwc.pdf

Rahman, A., Al Mamun, A., & Islam, A. (2017). Programming challenges of chatbot: current and future prospective. IEEE Region 10 Humanitarian Technology Conference (R10-HTC) (pp. 21 - 23). IEEE. doi:10.1109/R10-HTC.2017.8288910

Rashid, Y., Rashid, A., Warraich, M. A., Sabir, S. S., & Waseem, A. (2019). Case study method: a step-by-step guidefor business researchers. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 18, 1–13. doi:10.1177/1609406919862424

Rhemananda, H., Simbolon, D. R., & Fachrunnisa, O. (2021). Blockchain technology to support employee recruitment and selection in industrial revolution 4.0. In P. Pattnaik, M. Sain, A. Al-Absi, & P. Kumar, Proceedings of international conference on smart computing and cyber security (Vol. 149). Singapore: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-981-15-7990-5_30

Rhim, J., Kwak, M., Gong, Y., & Gweon, G. (2022). Application of humanization to survey chatbots: Change in chatbot perception, interaction experience, and survey data quality. Computers in Human Behavior,

doi:10.1016/j.chb.2021.107034

Saunders, M., & Townsend, K. (2016). Reporting and justifying the number of interview participants in organization and workplace research. British Journal of Management, 27(4), 836–852. doi:10.1111/1467-8551.12182

Saxena, P. (2021, March 10). India's inclusive approach secures a ranks 6 in Stanford's AI Index 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2022, from India AI: https://indiaai.gov.in/article/india-s-inclusive-approach-secures-a- ranks-6-in-stanford-s-ai-index-2021

Schildknecht, L., Eißer, J., & Böhm, S. (2018). Motivators and barriers of chatbot usage in recruiting: an empirical study on the. Journal of E - Technology, 9(4), 109-124. doi:10.6025/jet/2018/9/4/109-123

Silva, D. D., & Alahakoon, D. (2022). An artificial intelligence life cycle: From conception to production.

Patterns, 3(6). doi:doi.org/10.1016/j.patter.2022.100489

Srivastava, S. (2018). Artificial intelligence: way forward for India. Journal of Information Systems and Technology Management, 15. doi:10.4301/S1807-1775201815004

Strohmeier, S., & Piazza, F. (2013). Domain driven data mining in human resource management: a review of current research. Expert Systems with Applications, 40(7), 2410-2420. doi:10.1016/j.eswa.2012.10.059

Sullivan, J. (2012, September 4). News flash: recruiting has the highest business impact of any hr function. Retrieved February 4, 2022, from ERE Recruiting Intelligence: https://www.ere.net/news-flash- recruiting-has-the-highest-business-impact-of-any-hr-function/

Upadhyay, A., & Khandelwal , K. (2018). Applying artificial intelligence: implications for recruitment. Strategic HR Review, 17(5), 255-258. doi:10.1108/SHR-07-2018-0051

Upchurch, M. (2018). Robots and AI at work: the prospects for singularity. New Technology, Work and Employment, 33(3), 205-218. doi:10.1111/ntwe.12124

van den Heuvel, S., & Bondarouk, T. (2017). The rise (and fall?) of HR analytics: A study into the future application, value, structure, and system support. Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance, 4(2), 157-178. doi:10.1108/JOEPP-03-2017-0022

van Esch, P., Stewart Black, J., Franklin, D., & Harder, M. (2021). Al-enabled biometrics in recruiting: Insights from marketers for managers. Australasian Marketing Journal, 29(3), 225 –234. doi:10.1016/j.ausmj.2020.04.003

Vardarlier, P., & Zafer, C. (2020). Use of artificial intelligence as business strategy in recruitment process and social perspective. In U. Hacioglu, Digital business strategies in blockchain ecosystems. Cham: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-29739-8_17

Vaughn, P., & Turner, C. (2016). Decoding via coding: analyzing qualitative textdata through thematic coding and survey methodologies. Journal of Library Administration, 56(1), 41-51. doi:10.1080/01930826.2015.1105035

Votto, A. M., Valecha, R., Najafirad, P., & Rao, H. (2021). Artificial Intelligence in Tactical Human Resource Management: A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 1(2). doi:10.1016/j.jjimei.2021.100047

Wamba, S., Bawack, R., Guthrie, C., Queiroz, M., & Carillo, K. D. (2021). Are we preparing for a good AI

society? a bibliometric review and research agenda. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 164. doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120482

Wang, X., Lin, X., & Shao, B. (2022). How does artificial intelligence create business agility? Evidence from chatbots. International Journal of Information Management, 66. doi:10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2022.102535

Weston, C., Gandell, T., Beauchamp, J., McAlpine, L., Wiseman, C., & Beauchamp, C. (2001). Analyzing interview data: the developmentand evolution of a coding system. Qualitative Sociology, 24(3), 381–

doi:10.1023/A:1010690908200

Yarger, L., Payton, F., & Neupane, B. (2020). Algorithmic equity in the hiring of underrepresented IT job candidates. Online Information Review, 44(2), 383-395. doi:10.1108/OIR-10-2018-0334

Zhu, Y.-Q., Corbett, J., & Chiu, Y.-T. (2021). Understanding employees’ responses to artificial intelligence.

Organizational Dynamics, 50(20). doi:10.1016/j.orgdyn.2020.100786

Ziebell , R.-C., Albors-Garrigos, J., Schoeneberg, K.-P., & Perello-Martin, R. (2019). e-HRM in a cloud environment: implementation and its adoption: a literature review. International Journal of Human Capital and Information Technology Professionals, 10(4), 16-40. doi:10.4018/IJHCITP.2019100102

Downloads

Published

2022-12-31

How to Cite

Tuffaha, M. ., Pandya, B. ., & Perello-Marin, M. R. . (2022). AI-powered chatbots in recruitment from Indian HR professionals’ perspectives: Qualitative study. The Journal of Contemporary Issues in Business and Government, 28(4), 1971–1989. Retrieved from https://cibgp.com/au/index.php/1323-6903/article/view/2737