Connecting Human and Information Resources in the Generation of Competitive Advantage

Abstract

A key trend in recent decades is a growing standardisation of tangible digital resources. This trend coexists with development in the most advanced organisations of high-level technological, human and organisational resources teams built around advanced digital solutions. Digitisation has increased information asymmetries in organisations. However, it has changed the nature of the assets that support them. Accordingly, their effects are independent if unaccompanied by complementary investments in organisational design and human capital. This article focuses on relationships between information and cognitive asymmetries, their effects on developing strategic capabilities and their impact on competitive position. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis was run on a data set of 418 Spanish tourism firms. The results show the positive effects of the interaction between human resources and information assets in strengthening the competitive position of modern organisations.