Research Questions and Methodology
The research questions that underpin this paper are:
1. Do line managers feel commitment to HR activities?
2. What are the key mechanisms that help support line managers with their HR responsibilities?
3. What barriers are present that hinder managers involvement in HR activities?
In order to explore the research questions, a deductive approach was taken in developing the questionnaire, with the content being informed by a literature review and semi-structured interviews with the UK HR Vice-president. The questionnaire was designed to include Hilton-specific questions as a form of action research and theory-derived questions. The questionnaire format encompassed nominal, ordinal, ranking and Likert rating scales, and several open-ended questions. It was piloted in early 2003, on consultation with a regional HR director, a hotel HR manager and an external survey organisation. The population comprises some 760 managers in Hilton hotels throughout the UK: 10 questionnaires were distributed to each hotel for self-selected and anonymous completion in summer 2003. The response rate is 328 questionnaires, 43%. Descriptive statistics are used to analyse the quantitative results. Open-ended question responses have been coded into themes to enable these to be presented using percentage response rates. Quantitative responses are supplemented with qualitative statements where appropriate. The findings are discussed below in terms of line managers’ understanding and views on Esprit, and line managers’ perceived role in relation to HR, including enablers and inhibitors influencing their effectiveness in delivering HR activities. Reference is made to the UK HR VP s’ views on key current issues concerning the Esprit tool in order to frame the Hilton perspective on line managers’ issues in HR.