12. Into Smart Work Practices: Which Challenges for the HR Department?

This work investigates the implementation within organizational contexts of smart working (SW) focusing on the role played by the HR department. After the presentation of the topic, some theoretical elements necessary to understand the research are introduced and some principal characteristics of the qualitative research from the methodological point of view are summarized. After that, the paper focuses on some key findings showing how the enterprises are related to SW and how their HR departments are supporting each step of the whole process. There are some final considerations on the evolution of the role of this department in the perspective of an increasing space for flexible arrangements in working conditions, which can contribute to a positive and fruitful introduction and reinforcement of SW practices.