HRD From a Functionalist Perspective:The Views of Line Managers Sandra Watson

The problem and the solution. Previous research has indicated that line managers play a critical role in facilitating organizational and individual learning. However, short-term pressures, work overload, and lack of specialist expertise, for example, have been identified as inhibiting line manager involvement in human resource development (HRD). Based on a sample of 328 line managers from the Hilton hotel group in the United Kingdom, this article considers line managers' under-standing of their HRD roles and responsibilities, the key HRD activities they engage in, and the challenges they face in relation to their HRD roles. It concludes that line managers appear to have embraced their HRD roles, with support from HRD professionals.