First-Line Managers' HR Involvement and HR Effectiveness: The Case of South Korea

Human Resource Management · 2013 · Volume 52 · Issue 6

Abstract

In this study, we empirically examine the consequences of devolving HR responsibilities to first-line managers (FLMs) who make daily contacts with frontline workers. Drawing from HR strength theory, we propose that FLMs' involvement in HR enhances HR effectiveness. We also argue that the positive relationship between FLMs' HR involvement and HR effectiveness is compromised when a company employs an institutionally emerging HR system, and that this negative combinative effect will be alleviated by transferring HR knowledge to FLMs. We tested the hypothesized relationships using panel survey data from South Korea (N = 215). The results of our hierarchical regression analysis generally support our claims. Implications, limitations, and future research directions are also discussed. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Keywords

first-line manager, HR devolution, institutionally emerging HR system, high-performance work system, knowledge transfer, HR effectiveness

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