A SCOPING REVIEW ON HUMAN-CENTRED AI GOVERNANCE IN HRM: LESSONS FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN SMME SECTOR

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the escalating integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within Human Resource Management (HRM) practices, with particular emphasis on governance challenges and opportunities in South African Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). It endeavours to delineate the landscape of human-centered AI governance and its significance for HRM in contexts characterized by resource limitations and high levels of inequality. The research employs a scoping review methodology, enabling a systematic analysis of literature published between 2018 and 2025, with particular emphasis on sources dated from 2020 onward. The review synthesizes conceptual, empirical, and policy-oriented studies pertinent to AI governance in HRM within the South African SMME sector. Findings: The review identifies four primary thematic clusters: (1) the conceptual foundations of human-centered AI governance; (2) patterns of AI adoption and associated constraints within South African SMMEs; (3) HRM-specific risks and opportunities associated with AI in resource-constrained organizational settings; and (4) enabling conditions for equitable and contextually appropriate AI governance. Findings reveal notable gaps in existing scholarship, particularly regarding the practical implementation of human-centered governance principles in environments marked by limited resources and structural inequalities. Implications and Recommendations, the study underscores the necessity for context-sensitive AI governance frameworks that address regulatory complexities, digital capability gaps, and equity considerations within the SMME sector. It advocates for the integration of local philosophical and legal principles, including Ubuntu and South African constitutional values, into AI governance models. Furthermore, it recommends targeted policy interventions and additional empirical research to facilitate responsible AI adoption in HRM practices. Contribution and Value Added, This research contributes to the nascent discourse on AI governance by proposing the SMME Human-Centred AI Governance (SHAG) Model. The model provides a theoretically grounded and practically applicable framework specifically tailored to the South African SMME context, thereby advancing both academic understanding and policy development toward the equitable integration of AI in HRM.