Research Articles
Research Articles Explore cutting-edge research based on CompNet’s micro-aggregated firm-level data and related analytical tools. These articles cover empirical and theoretical…
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15th Annual IWH-CompNet Conference
15th Annual IWH-CompNet Conference 22-23 October 2026 - Brussels, Belgium Center for Business and Productivity Dynamics – CompNet, the Halle Institute for Economic Research, and…
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Compnet Training Program
CompNet Training Program Structure The course is made for autonomous online learning. It is structured in three modules : Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. Each of them…
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14th CompNet Annual Conference
14th CompNet Annual Conference 25-26 September, 2025 in Vilnius, Lithuania Programme Highlights – 14th CompNet Annual Conference, Vilnius, 25–26 September 2025 The conference…
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The Chief Human Resource Officer in the C-suite: Peer Prevalence and Environmental Uncertainty
David Bendig, Kathrin Haubner, Jonathan Hoke, Sabrina Jeworrek
International Journal of Human Resource Management,
Vol. 35 (11),
2024
Abstract
The chief human resource officer (CHRO) role elevates people-related matters to the apex of the firm. Why do some companies’ leading management teams place so much emphasis on human resources while others do not? The present study argues that CHROs’ presence in the C-suite is driven by firms’ imitation of industry peers’ leadership structures as a response to uncertainty. The investigation also sheds light on the moderating role of environmental factors that can influence mimetic isomorphism in HR leadership. Through a longitudinal analysis of large listed firms between 2006 and 2020, the study shows a positive relationship between the prevalence of the CHRO position among firms’ peers and a focal firm having a CHRO in its top management. The results demonstrate that certain types of uncertainty serve as boundary conditions for such copying actions: Industry growth strengthens mimicking behavior while industry dynamism weakens it. There is no clear evidence for the moderating role of industry competition. The findings contribute a neo-institutional view of human resource structures in the top management and strengthen the bond between the strategy and human resource literature.
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Job Market Candidates
Job Market Candidates Marius Fourné Marius Fourné is a PhD candidate in Economics at the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) and Martin Luther University of…
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Department Profiles
Research Profiles of the IWH Departments All doctoral students are allocated to one of the four research departments (Financial Markets – Laws, Regulations and Factor Markets –…
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13 CompNet Annual Conference
13th CompNet Annual Conference The 13th Annual Conference in Valletta, hosted by the Central Bank of Malta, was a resounding success. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone…
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Workshop on Firm Dynamism in Japan
Workshop on Firm Dynamism in Japan 12 May 2025 Tokyo This international workshop was held at Gakushuin University and supported by KAKENHI grant 25K05112, and brought together…
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ProdTalks
CompNet ProdTalks CompNet ProdTalks is a monthly recurring 1.5 hour virtual event, two selected papers will be presented including presentation, discussion and Q&A. The top ic…
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