Human capital resource emergence: theoretical and methodological clarifications and a path forward

The purpose of this chapter is to clarify and advance research on human capital resource emergence (HCRE). To accomplish this purpose, we provide detail on several important, yet underspecified, aspects of HCRE: 1) we describe the underlying theoretical mechanisms of HCRE and integrate these with the task- and social-oriented emergence enabling factors outlined in 2011 by Ployhart and Moliterno; 2) we explicate how the various aspects of HCRE – such as task- and social-oriented antecedents, and underlying mechanisms – are connected with, and important to, the generation of human capital-based competitive advantage; and 3) we discuss several specific methodological approaches and considerations regarding empirical studies of the HCRE process. We also outline next steps that are needed to move forward scholarship on HCRE.