Human Resources Management with Public Institutions in Romania

Abstract

This article examines the significant transformations in human resources management (HRM) within public institutions in Romania, focusing on the period from 2010 to 2025. The research highlights the shift from traditional, bureaucratic models to modern approaches that emphasize performance and digitalization. Using a mixed-methods approach, the research combines a systematic review of literature from 2015 to 2025 - guided by the PRISMA methodology - with quantitative and qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews with HR specialists. This combination provides a comprehensive perspective on HRM in Romania's public institutions. The study identifies several key challenges, such as resistance to change, a lack of digital skills, and the need to adapt to ongoing legislative reforms. The findings reveal an uneven evolution of HRM practices in the Romanian public sector, with notable disparities between central and local institutions. Additionally, the article offers recommendations for optimizing human resources strategies and aligning them with European standards, stressing the importance of sustainable human capital development amid current administrative transformations.