Workforce Analytics

Martin R. Edwards is a Professor of Management at the UQ Business School, University of Queensland, Australia. Martin has published widely in the area of Human Resource Management. He is active in the field of HR consultancy, having delivered projects to numerous multinationals; he has also provided bespoke HR Analytics training to global firms.Dana Minbaeva is a Professor of Strategic Human Capital at King’s Business School, King’s College London, UK. She also holds a part-time position at Copenhagen Business School, Denmark, and is an affiliate faculty member at London Business School, UK. Professor Minbaeva is a Fellow of the Academy of International Business. She has received several national and international awards for her research achievements, including the prestigious JIBS Decade Award in 2013. Dana is also the founder and director of the Nordic Human Capital Advisory Aps.Alec Levenson is Senior Research Scientist and Director at the Center for Effective Organizations, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California. His research has been published in books, academic and business publications, and global media outlets, including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Economist, CNN, Associated Press, US News and World Report, National Public Radio, Los Angeles Times, USA Today, Marketplace, and Fox News.Mark A. Huselid is the Distinguished Professor of Workforce Analytics and director of the Center for Workforce Analytics at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business, Northeastern University. He was the editor of the Human Resource Management Journal, and is a current or former member of numerous professional and academic boards. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Human Resources (NAHR), the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), and the Association for Psychological Science (APS).

Workforce Analytics is a must-read for leaders and HR professionals looking to harness data for strategic decision-making. The authors provide a clear framework for leveraging workforce analytics to drive business success, enhance employee well-being, and adapt to an evolving workplace. With research-backed insights and real-world applications, this book is an invaluable guide to optimizing human capital.Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There=================================================================Workforce Analytics is the definitive work in this space. Covering everything from fundamentals of measurement to advanced techniques with a clear style and a consistent theme, this book is a must-read for anyone serious about workforce analytics. Business and HR leaders will benefit from the clear and compelling examples, and professionals working in analytics will find the deep chapters on analytic methods and activating change illuminating and powerful as they evolve their own practice. This book provides the key tools and approaches to significantly improve your organization’s performance.Alexis Fink, Former VP, People Analytics & Workforce Strategy, Meta=================================================================Boards, CEOs and other C-suite Executives are expecting to have a better understanding of how investments in employees drive revenue, customer engagement, and innovation. Workforce Analytics: A Global Perspective provides the most current research and frameworks on how best to determine which parts of the human capital agenda deliver the best value. A must read for Chief Human Resources Officers who are on the line everyday to optimally invest in their people.Peter M. Fasolo, Ph.D., Former Chief Human Resources Officer, Johnson & Johnson =================================================================Workforce Analytics is a capability whose time has come. For too long, Analytics was "Reporting in disguise". Now analytics generates real insights, tells us something we don’t know and offers the promise of powerful predictions. To reap this potential, we need to be able to ask the right questions, understand what to expect from Analytics colleagues and focus on insights that meaningfully impact strategic talent and business outcomes - it’s possible! Written to appeal to both academics and practitioners alike, this book reaches back to original insights in "The Differentiated Workforce" about the strategic value of critical roles and strategic work. It points the way forward to using Workforce Analytics as a potential game-changing capability that - when done right - can build real competitive advantage. It’s an exciting proposition!Lucien Alziari, Executive vice-president and Chief HR Officer, Prudential Financial=================================================================Anyone interested in workforce analytics must have this compendium. Each of the 19 chapters by thought leaders offers exceptional insights into the why, what, and how of analytics. Collectively, these insights define the past, present, and future of the workforce analytics agenda. Dave Ulrich, Rensis Likert Professor, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan. Partner, The RBL Group=================================================================Talent, Change and Organization Development need to be data-led and hypothesis-driven. Workforce Analytics: A Global Perspective provides a critical resource for practitioners so we can be more effective in our jobs, and make better data-based decisions.Placid Jover, EVP and CHRO, Teva Pharmaceuticals=================================================================Alec, Martin, Dana and Mark have created an incredible resource with the publication of Workforce Analytics: A Global Perspective. It provides insight into all aspects of the analytics lifecycle, including how to influence decision making which is one of the most critical outcomes. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a newcomer to the field, this book is an invaluable resource that will inspire and empower you to leverage workforce analytics for transformative impact.Dawn Klinghoffer, Vice President, HR Business Insights and Head of People Analytics, Microsoft =================================================================Especially with the power of AI, no one can doubt the growing importance of workforce analytics as an effective means to gain and retain competitive advantage in the area of people management. The editors, all leaders in the field, have produced a collection of key articles to help the reader quickly get up to speed in the area - from a historical perspective to theory and practice on a global basis to useful data driven insights.Fred Foulkes, Emeritus Professor of Management and Organization at the Boston University Questrom School of Business and founder of the Boston University Human Resources Policy Institute=================================================================This is the book on workforce analytics for the serious practitioners in HR, scholars, and students alike. It brings back the strategic perspective by linking the workforce with how the company creates value and builds competitive edge. Outlining how analytics is properly done, it provides tips and tricks to avoid the pitfalls. Co-authored by some of the most renowned scholars in the field, this is bound to become the reference and standard for strategic work force analytics that add value to business for years to come. I thank the authors for painstakingly putting this together and strongly recommend HR to use it to improve its strategic impact while developing people’s ultimate potential.Jorrit van der Togt, Executive Vice President Shell Downstream, Renewables and Energy Solutions=================================================================Workforce Analytics is so much more than a collection of methods and techniques, although those are described very clearly. Readers will welcome the ACAI approach (ask, collect, analyze, and influence) as a comprehensive guide to making informed, ethical decisions about the best ways to optimize talent and successfully implement strategic change. Both academics and practitioners will find a deep reservoir of useful information in this book.Wayne F. Cascio, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Colorado, The Business School, University of Colorado Denver=================================================================Workforce Analytics offers an invaluable exploration on the use of data to improve decisions about the workforce. The authors provide both theory and practice ideas, guiding readers through the history, robust methodologies, ethical considerations, and strategic applications of workforce analytics. It will be an invaluable resource for students, researchers, and workforce analytics/people analytics practitioners to harness its ACAI model: Ask the right questions, Collect the right data, Conduct the right analyses, and Influence the right decisions. Furthermore, it encompasses critical overlapping disciplines such as I/O psychology, organization behavior, data science and change management, and the invaluable contributions of each.Lexy Martin, head of research at Visier from 2016 to 2023=================================================================This book brilliantly bridges theory and practice, offering a comprehensive framework for building evidence-based and ethical workforce analytics. By challenging conventional wisdom and delivering critical insights, it stands as an essential guide to advancing the discipline.Salvatore V. Falletta, Professor, Drexel University; Research Chair, The Society for People Analytics; author of Creepy Analytics=================================================================Bridging the science-practice divide has never been more critical in workforce analytics. The authors and contributors to "Workforce Analytics: A Global Perspective" seamlessly integrate cutting-edge research techniques with real-world applications, making complex concepts both accessible yet applicable. This resource is as intellectually rigorous as it is practical. I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes the go-to text for graduate education in workforce analytics, as well as an engaging read for practitioners looking to stay at the forefront of the field.Cole Napper, VP of Research & Innovation at Lightcast and Owner of Directionally Correct Podcast & Newsletter=================================================================Workforce Analytics: A Global Perspective is a must-read for anyone looking to harness data for smarter workforce decisions. This book skillfully bridges science and practice, offering a clear roadmap—from data and analytic techniques to implementation challenges and ethical considerations. The ACAI model is a standout feature, providing a practical framework to maximize the impact of workforce analytics.Prof. dr. Corine Boon | Professor of HRM and People Analytics | Director of Amsterdam People Analytics Centre (APAC) | =================================================================Human capital is the key to company performance, and this volume gives us the latest and best thinking about how to use the new tools for managing it.Prof. Peter Cappelli, Director - Center for Human Resources, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania=================================================================Finally, a graduate-level workforce analytics textbook spanning theory and practice, implementation and change, and, most importantly, ethics. This book will inspire and guide the next generation of workforce analytics leaders.Amit Mohindra, CEO, People Analytics Success, and former global head of people analytics at Apple=================================================================The guide I wish I had as the Global Head of People Analytics. This book is a game-changer for anyone navigating the complexities of workforce analytics. With its clear, actionable framework and deep dive into both the strategic and ethical dimensions, it’s an invaluable resource for anyone looking to leverage analytics to make smarter decisions that drive organizational performance.Dr. Serena H. Huang, Author of The Inclusion Equation - Leveraging Data & AI for Organizational Diversity and Wellbeing, Founder of Data With Serena, and former Global Head of People Analytics at PayPal and Kraft Heinz=================================================================This book provides an amazing insight into the power of data, how to interpret and analyze it and more importantly apply it in organizations with practical behavioural changes, tips and ideas. It is ideal for both people analytics specialists and HR practitioners alike, with an extensive range of models and techniques that are thought provoking and clearly explained. But this book isn’t just about statistics and their application, it’s about the future of HR and the vital role that people analytics has to play in changing the mindset and perception that exists about the function. It’s a must read for anyone who is interested in organizational and people effectiveness.Dave Millner, Author and Founder of HR Curator, a People Analytics Training Company=================================================================This book brings you the unique collective perspective of a formidable group of authors with decades of diverse thought leadership in HR analytics. It will help you build an analytics strategy that improves talent decisions, focused on the pivot points that have the greatest strategic impact.Dr. John Boudreau, Senior Research Scientist, Center For Effective Organizations, and Emeritus Professor of Management and Organization, University of Southern California=================================================================This book should be considered required reading for anyone wishing to apply a gold-standard approach to workforce analytics. The book’s guiding framework can be used in a myriad of ways, and by many actors in this exciting world. The authors do an outstanding job of focusing on the ‘enabling factors’, not just the analytical: clear communication and expectation management, product ownership, change management and the accountability to act (or not!). The result is a senior-level practitioner guide, which aims to navigate both the impactful topics, as well as the more nuanced, but supported by five-star quality research, throughout.Mark Lawrence, Founder and Executive Consultant, Data Driven HR Ltd=================================================================I have long argued that Workforce Analytics as necessary for effective Strategic Human Resources (HR) and am glad to see this book brings these threads together. There has been a lot written on the topic of workforce analytics over the past decades and this contribution nicely brings together much of this into a compendium of techniques, theories, case studies and a suggested approach to guide the practice of workforce analytics. This is an incredibly rich and varied reference for anyone in HR, particularly if you are working in workforce/people analytics, or as I like to think of it, true strategic HR.Tony Ashton: Chief Product Officer, One Model=================================================================Written by leading international experts on workforce analytics, this book demonstrates why it has become central to organizational performance and why it is essential for effective strategic human resource management. The book is highly relevant both for researchers and organizational practitioners as it ranges widely across contemporary analytic techniques, ethical considerations and the contribution of workforce analytics to organizational change. There is even a workforce analytics maturity index to guide practitioners on their path to its effective utilisation. This book should be on the reading list of all advanced human resource management programmes.David E Guest: Emeritus Professor of Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management, King's Business School=================================================================A powerful and insightful resource for any Workforce Analytics practitioner. This book not only establishes a solid conceptual and ethical framework to guide practice but also inspires possibilities by outlining the latest analytical techniques and how they can be used to progress understanding. It serves as a reminder of why I love my profession, as it highlights that there is always something new to learn and discover in the pursuit of making work and organisations safer, more engaging and productive.Vaughn Sheahan: Head of Organisational Development and Analytics, BHP=================================================================From someone who’s been deep in the trenches of global workforce analytics, I can confidently say: if you’re serious about making a measurable impact with HR data, this is the book you need. Alec, Dana, Mark, and Martin have created a powerhouse of a book, filled with insights from leading experts in our field. This isn't just another theoretical text—it's a practical playbook for anyone looking to start out or scale up in the field of workforce analytics. Their book guides you through the 'what,' the 'how,' and importantly, the 'why' of HR analytics, enabling you to deliver the kind of impactful insights that drive strategic decisions and generate real business value.Greg Newman, People Analytics - Human Capital, Deloitte Consulting Pty Ltd=================================================================Workforce Analytics: A Global Perspective provides a comprehensive background and many valuable models for people analytics professionals. As organizations grow in complexity, this type of analysis is now critical to drive growth in the years ahead. Josh Bersin, Global Industry Analyst =================================================================I wholeheartedly recommend Workforce Analytics to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of using people data to drive business outcomes. This book offers an insightful blend of analytical techniques and change management strategies, making it a wonderful resource for students and practitioners alike. What sets this book apart is its thorough exploration of qualitative analysis and causal modeling. These areas are often overlooked, but critical for understanding the workforce. Plus, the case studies provided throughout demonstrate real world examples that readers can immediately apply. This book provides a framework that blends theory and practice to demonstrate how workforce analytics can deliver organizational value.Nicole Lettich, Senior Director of People Analytics in Fintech=================================================================If you are looking for proven ways to increase your company’s performance through people, organisation, culture, this is a must read. The authors’ thought leadership, academic credibility, and deep practical experience makes Workforce Analytics a one-stop guide for evidence-based, high-impact solutions. Whether you are a Senior Executive or CHRO looking to deliver business outcomes to your stakeholders, a Management Consultant wanting to high-grade your services, or an HR professional wanting to boost your value-add, this is the one book you should read on Workforce Analytics. It shows you the why, the what, and the how – all in one incredibly well written book. Thomas Rasmussen, VP Organizational Development, Shell=================================================================Workforce Analytics: A Global Perspective provides a comprehensive foundation for understanding how data can shape workforce decision-making. With a strong theoretical underpinning, this book is essential for anyone looking to deepen their expertise in the topic, a must-read to build a strong foundation in workforce analytics and data-driven decision-making.Erik van Vulpen, Founder, AIHR - Academy to Innovate HR=================================================================If you truly want to understand the power of workforce analytics, this is the book to read. Written by an all-star team of authors, this book provides concrete, concise, and impactful examples of how analytical techniques support decision-making within the context of the workforce. The book goes beyond simply describing the phenomenon of workforce analytics and offers a deep and fundamental understanding of applying workforce analytics. A must-read for all interested in workforce analytics.Patrick Coolen, Partner at KennedyFitch, and previous head of workforce analytics at ABN AMRO=================================================================In Workforce Analytics: A Global Perspective, the authors have created a masterful synthesis of cutting‐edge theory and practical application. The book offers a refreshingly holistic approach to the discipline of People/Workforce Analytics, firmly grounded in organisational performance and business strategy. They not only elucidate the complexities of workforce analytics with clarity and rigour, but also provide clear and practical recommendations through the innovative ACAI model. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner, an academic, or a student eager to understand the strategic potential of data-driven decision-making, this book is an indispensable resource. Its global outlook and meticulous scholarship set a new benchmark in human resource management literature.Barry Swales, Managing Director, Tucana, and Founder and curator, People Analytics World=================================================================Workforce Analytics: A Global Perspective is an essential guide for anyone looking to elevate their approach to workforce analytics beyond surface-level metrics and into true strategic impact. What sets this book apart is its insistence on context. Rather than defaulting to generic HR activity metrics that yield little strategic insight, the authors emphasize the importance of applying a research-based lens to workforce analytics. They challenge readers to go beyond data for data’s sake and instead focus on understanding which types of work have the greatest impact on firm success and where those critical contributions occur within the organization. For workforce analytics practitioners, HR professionals, and business leaders alike, this book offers not just a roadmap for implementing workforce analytics effectively, but a call to action: to ask the right questions, use the right data, and apply the right analytic techniques to unlock the full potential of the workforce. A must-read for anyone serious about making workforce analytics a true business driver. Michael M. Moon, PhD, Director, Organizational Research & Insights, AbbVie=================================================================A great resource for analyst teams to build their project muscle, to focus on the right projects, execute them in an appropriate, research backed way, and present results that compel leaders to act. The authors capture technical detail to support teams to produce high quality analytics to put people analytics at the centre of business. This book will help build connections between people analytics work and business strategy planning and execution.Jordan Pettman, Senior Director, Insight222=================================================================Global Perspectives on Workforce Analytics is an essential guide for anyone looking to bridge the gap between the science and practice of workforce analytics. The authors provide a comprehensive exploration of the field—from its historical foundations to cutting-edge methodologies, ethical considerations, and practical implementation strategies. Their global perspective and research-driven insights make this book an invaluable resource for HR leaders, analysts, and executives seeking to deploy workforce analytics for strategic impact. As workforce analytics continues to evolve, this book will serve as a foundational text for organizations looking to unlock sustainable value.Craig Starbuck, CEO OrgAcuity

• PART 1: WORK FORCE ANALYTICS (WFA) 1 Introduction and book overview 2 Theoretical frameworks for workforce analytics 3 Data collection and analysis PART 2: ANALYTIC TECHNIQUES 4.0 Considering techniques in workforce analytics 4.1 Causal inference in HR analytics with Directed Acyclic Graphs 4.2 Latent Class and Latent Profile Analysis 4.3 Efficient ways to leverage untapped data sources: Using natural language processing to assess work attitudes and perceptions 4.4 Decision trees and HR analytics: An example 4.5 Organizational network analysis (ONA) at the Broad Institute 4.6 Machine learning tools to support strategic HR decision-making 4.7 Connecting employee survey data to organizational performance indicators using micro-macro multilevel regression 4.8 Key takeaways PART 3: WFA APPLICATIONS AND FUTURE 5 Implementation and change management 6 Ethics and workforce analytics 7 Building the workforce analytics function 8 The future of workforce analytics