The Feasibility of Devolving HR Functions to Line Managers in the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform.

Colville, Martina (2007) The Feasibility of Devolving HR Functions to Line Managers in the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform. Undergraduate thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Research issue: In 2006 the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform published its Human Resource Management Strategy. In Section 8.3 of the Strategy one of the key objectives is to "Devolve the relevant HR functions to line managers in a structured, supportive and planned way and in consultation with Partnership". There was, however, no exploration of the issues around devolving HR functions in the civil service in general and no research conducted into the capacity and capability of line managers to take on the functions in DJELR in particular. The perception was that line managers were too busy with their operational responsibilities to take on what they would see as additional responsibilities relating to their staff and that they were not adequately trained or knowledgeable enough to fulfill "a HR role" effectively. This dissertation examines the feasibility of devolving HR functions to line managers in DJELR and attempts to ascertain if the capacity and capability exists within this group to take on HR functions.

Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative methodological approach in the form of an online self-completing questionnaire was taken, focusing on the middle line-management group in DJELR.

Findings: The capacity exists within the middle line management group in DJELR to take on HR functions but the research raises issues about the capability of the group in relation to undertaking those functions successfully.

Practical Implications: The research informs the decision about devolving HR functions to line managers and suggests that it is feasible to devolve HR functions to line managers as they have the capacity to take on the functions. However, particular issues, notably in the
area of training, need to be addressed prior to implementation as the capability does not exist within the group currently to knowledgeably and consistently carry out HR functions.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Subjects:	J Political Science > JN Political institutions (Europe) > Ireland > Government Departments H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management > Human Resource Management
Divisions:	School of Business > BA (Honours) in Human Resource Management
Depositing User:	SINEAD CORCORAN
Date Deposited:	01 Jul 2010 13:22
Last Modified:	20 Aug 2014 08:58
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/321

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