NEW APPROACHES IN HRM

3 INTRODUCTION The future has already begun to have a strong impact on the present. The labour market has an astonishing dynamic, and the process is generated by the new technologies that bring digitization and automation to the „ new ” normal. We see every day how many domains are transforming and using high tech to develop and meet the needs of the labour market. To be prepared for the future's jobs, it means a mix of technical knowledge, social and business skills, it means to have a problem-oriented thinking, higher specialization and great flexibility. Since artificial intelligence will be the basis of services and businesses around the world, digital, social media knowledge will be a must, together with other professional and soft skills, such as entrepreneurial experience, leadership and collaboration. Most future jobs will combine different domains and passions (human, tech, creative, digital, etc.), we will see artists and fashion creators using new media, farmers who will use the strengths of technology to create sustainable, quickly and controlled vertical farms, having the mission to serve the community eager for fresh and healthy products. We will also see digital wellness advisors aiming to „ detoxify ” the online lifestyle or virtual identity protection specialists, engineers / environmental architects for that knowledge of engineering, waste management, nanotechnology or biology, architectural design, memory curators who use medical knowledge, emotional intelligence, data analysis and VR technology to help patients „ live ” in an environment built on pleasant past experiences, to reduce stress and anxiety caused by memory loss. A super-connected and agile labour market, the labour force has to be flexible and agile, and the human resources management sufficiently agile to address their needs. How human resource management in organizations will succeed in coming up with solutions to deal with the new technologies and working with smart devices depends, more than ever, of the ability of virtual collaboration. It is not easy to collaborate, to build organizations online. The process will combine new technologies with creativity and innovation, empathy, active listening, complex problems solving, cultural and diversity skills. This special edition invites readers to discover, learn and share the key knowledge that helps them to adapt to the new challenges of the digital age. EDITOR in CHIEF Assoc. Prof. Denisa Abrudan Ph.D. Romania