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Observes that diversity management (DM) is central to the human resource management (HRM) function in work organizations, and the past decade has seen employers seeking to establish more devolved management structures that place more emphasis on local-level managerial decision-making.

Argues that an important component of this shift in many organizations has been the reconfiguration of the role of first-line managerial leader (FLML) to encompass a wider range of HRM responsibilities. Hence, diversity management and leadership in this regard are a key HRM role for leaders and managers.

Highlights case-study evidence to illustrate how far the success or otherwise of such a process of change is explicable in terms of the role played by four inter-related sets of factors which are key elements linked to organizational learning and strategic fit.

Advances the view that organizations that wish to enhance the HRM/DM role and performance of FLMLs need to adopt a holistic strategic approach which encompasses organizational learning and FLML strategies.

Demonstrates that organizations that use an integrated framework to help with the close co-ordination of business and HRM activities are likely to perform better as they engage in effective learning.

The primary intention of this research paper is to systemically identify and discuss the longitudinal embedding of the nature of the changing role of first‐tier managers (FTMs) – drawing particular attention to the trends, typical characteristics and complexities associated with their role.

The paper carried out a literature survey using a long‐cycle approach – a systemic and in‐depth survey of the literature from the early Industrial Revolution era to the twenty‐first century in order to pin‐point the main phases of the transition of the FTM's people management role. The author's four‐factor framework for decision making vis‐à‐vis the role of FTMs was used to trace whether the characteristics and issues linked with the role today are typical of those associated with the role in the past, and the degree to which lessons have been learned.

Importantly, the long‐cycle analysis revealed that the FTM's role has been through three core phases from the early industrial revolution era, and is currently in the fourth phase. That is, the manager‐in‐charge, the manager‐in‐the‐middle, the manager‐on‐the‐margin and the manager‐in‐charge‐plus. Whilst drawing attention to the complexities associated with the evolution process, the cycle shows that it is possible to conceptualise each phase and identify the key factors linked to the FTM's changing role successively. This drew attention to the fact that the success or failure of this role can be determined by five key factors, which characterise it – definition of the role, training/development of FTMs, perception/attitude of the primary stakeholders of the role (including FTMs), broader organisational support of FTMs (whether lacking or present), and their performance/performance management. Furthermore, the findings showed that, if these key factors are not considered from an in‐depth historical perspective, the FTM's people management role will remain a major organisational dilemma.

The literature survey was quite general, although the literature on the manufacturing industry and the UK are the main focus.

The paper establishes the trends in the management of FTMs and their people management role using a long‐cycle approach. To date, few integrated studies on people management devolution to FTMs have been undertaken that seek to identify the key phases of the transition and the complexities associated with the evolution of the role during these times. Therefore, the paper addresses the imbalance by reflecting on the nature of the FTM's people management role over a long period, and developing a conceptual framework for pin‐pointing and analysing the problems faced in managing FTMs strategically.

The intention of this research paper is to shed light on the key factors influencing the human resource management (HRM) performance of first tier managers (FTMs), and the vital importance that a holistic strategic framework can have in this regard.

The research paper uses an up‐to‐date historical approach and, additionally, draws on detailed case study evidence from an aerospace manufacturing/engineering company via manually and electronically analysed in‐depth semi‐structured interview and company documentation.

The case study findings reveal that the FTM's HRM performance is greatly influenced by a group of four key factors, and their interrelationships.

The literature survey was mainly industry‐specific (manufacturing), and the sample was restricted to one sector (aerospace), as well as one case study organisation. Furthermore, the views of FTMs' staff are not directly represented.

The FTMs' HRM role shows no signs of abating; in addition, questions regarding their performance of this role have increasingly emerged. This has become more evident as organisations have continued to expand the FTMs' role by devolving greater HRM responsibilities to them, and their performance of the role demonstrates that many FTMs are ill equipped to perform their HRM duties to the required standard. However, the vital importance that a holistic strategic framework (which encompasses the four key factors influencing their performance) can have on their performance of this role is not acknowledged. The present research paper, gives an empirical example of a case study, and therefore provides a springboard to address the weakness in the literature.

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a research to analyze and to explain the influence of information technology strategy (ITS) and management support (MS) on internal business processes (IBPs), competitive advantage (CA) and financial performance (FP) and non-financial performance (NFP) of a company.

This study uses a quantitative approach and is included in an explanatory research. This study belongs to the category of perceptive research, and the unit of analysis is an individual (Singarimbun and dan Effendi, 1989). The study population is Carrefour executives/managers. The unit of analysis in this study is an individual who is a Carrefour manager and who becomes the sample. This study is conducted throughout the Carrefour chains in Indonesia. Method of data analysis uses descriptive analysis and inferential statistic, using partial least square.

This study found that ITS has no significant effect on FP, but it has a significant effect on NFP. It also found that MS has a significant effect on IBP CA and FP and NFP. This study found that IBPs have no significant effect on FP but have a significant effect on NFP and CA. CA has no significant effect on FP, but it has a significant effect on NFP. Further, NFP has a significant effect on FP.

This research is important to understand comprehensively the relationship between information technology and IBPs, CA and company performance. The difference between this study and previous studies is that this study examines the relationship between MS and IBP to CA, NFP and corporate FP.