Responsibilities and Effectiveness of Branch Managers in Human Resource Management (HRM)

Abstract

In global trend, HRM activities are devolved to the line managers. HR department assigns the HRM responsibilities to the line managers to carry out the HRM functions/ activities. In banking context, branch managers can be considered as line managers. This study explores empirically regarding the level of responsibilities and effectiveness of branch managers for HRM in state bank branches in the Ampara district. The objectives of this study were to assess the branch manager's responsibilities in HRM functions/ activities and to assess the level of effectiveness t›f branch managers in performing HRM functions/activities at branch level from the perspective of employees and managers. The research framework was developed based on relevant HRM functions and pertinent indicators were used to measure the branch manager's responsibilities and effectiveness in HRM functions/activitie5. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, data were collected from 33 branch managers and 151 employee5 by using structured questionnaire and analyzed with the help of univariate analysis in this study. The findings of the study discovered that, branch managers have high level of responsibility and effectiveness of HRM activities in the state banks in the Ampara district from the perspective of managers and employees. Therefore, based on the findings it can be possible to conclude that branch managers are playing significant role in enforcing HRM policies and practice5 of bank at branch level even though banks are adopting centralized HRM. Despite banking duties and responsibilities, branch managers are highly involved and engaged in managing human resources effectively and efficiently at branch level