When the three dimensions of social capital are applied to the HR actors’ roles, the
structural capital can be enhanced through the cross-functional mobility of managers
across hierarchies and departments. Through programmes such as job rotation,
HRmanagers can learn about or experience how things are done in other functional areas.
Similarly, through such programmes, managers from other departments such as
marketing and finance can develop an understanding of how HR works (Grossman, 2003;
Stockman, 1999). The structural dimension of social capital can be inferred from the
structure, physical location and spatial arrangements of the various departments. At
a complex level, it is manifested in structural and internal processes, such as the presence
of HR actors, and their involvement, in key decision-making groups (Truss and Gill, 2009).
Brockett (2009) argues that organisations often fail to enact distinctive HR practices that
capture employee attention because HR actors do not possess adequate information about
employee concerns. Managers can overcome this challenge by establishing strong
relationships with other managers and employees. Through cross-departmental social
interactions and knowledge sharing, managers can gain access to HR-related information
in a timely fashion, and as a result they may be able to make productive contributions to
the formulation and implementation of HRM policies and practices