Line Manager Challenges in Human Resource Development

Abstract

ABSTRACT There is a range of challenges inherent in and surrounding line managers' involvement in human resource development, according to theoretical perspectives. At a conceptual level, the challenges include organisational commitment to human resource development; senior managers' understanding of training and development issues; and trust between line managers and human resource specialists. At a practical level the willingness and ability of line managers to carry out human resource tasks; organisational support; time pressures and workload are all challenges. The aim of this article is to explore levels and types of line manager challenges in human resource development in the context of a branded international case organisation, Hilton International hotels. The empirical work is derived from a survey of 760 of Hilton International's UK line managers on their perceptions of, and involvement in, human resource activities. With a survey yield of 328 questionnaires, the Hilton work affords an in-depth analysis of the perspectives of line managers on their interface with human resource development. In particular, the analysis reveals high levels of senior manager understanding of training and development issues, very high levels of trust in human resource specialists and high levels of personal commitment to the human resource development activities. However, also evident are issues of conceptual understanding and responsibility for the service quality strategy that shapes human resource development activities, together with the importance senior managers attach to human resource development, and workload pressures. The respondent line managers themselves make suggestions, notably in the provision of training, to improve their involvement in human resource development within Hilton International hotels.