The role of top management in human resource management: a study in SMEs. El rol de la alta dirección en la gestión de recursos humanos: un estudio en pymes

Identifier:  TDX:3174

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX3174

Authors:  Boada Cuerva, Maria

Abstract:
Although top management is presumed to be an important stakeholder in the HR function in the literature, there is a significant lack of academic attention paid in relation to the role they play as an active agent in all aspects of HRM. Thus, this thesis attempts to contribute to this literature through an analysis of the necessarily relevant role played by CEOs in HRM. Likewise, scarce research examining this role has been carried out in the context of SMEs, and thus the thesis also contributes to the HRM in SMEs literature. This thesis, therefore, enquires about the factors and mechanisms that shape the role of top management in HRM. To reach an answer through an exploratory approach, a case study qualitative methodology was used, collecting data through semi-structured interviews with top managers, middle managers and workers for each case. The sample was made up of 25 case studies in SMEs of the hotel sector. The results identify some relationships between the characteristics of top managers and their behaviours in relation to HRM, as well as the practices that end up being adopted. The study also shows how SME managers play a dual role due to the short distance that separates top management from their employees. As a consequence, CEOs, in addition to being the ultimate decision-makers in their company, are also responsible for other functions more typical of middle management, the HR department itself, or even the workers. These findings lead to a series of practical contributions that highlight the importance of the leadership behaviours exhibited by SME managers over and above the specific characteristics of the HRM practices used. Therefore, it is essential to inform and train these managers.