THE HRD MANAGER

The concept of Human Resource Development (HRD) is of relatively recent development in developing countries. Since the early 1970s, it began being used and discussed at professional gatherings the world over. But it did not develop so quickly in Africa and other developing rwgions.

While it is practically the norm in the developed countries, not many organizations in the developing world have appointed HRD managers; but the idea is beginning to spread..

The role and responsibilities of HRD managers var in different organizations, depending on the existing level of professionalism in the company and the management's perception.

In some enterprises, HRD managers play the role of training managers. In others, they are basically responsible for recruitment. In very few firms do HRD managers really perform a balanced role in discharging the entire range of HRD functions -- manpower planning, recruitment, training, performance appraisal, succession planning, strategies for job advancement, audit and development.

The concept of HRD centers around the belief that managerial manpower is a scarce organizational resource. Anf If an organization has to sustain its viability. considerable effort needs to be put in to ensure growth, development and succession plans.

If HRD has to be effective, then all the related functions have to be divided into two categories: development of human resources; and industrial relations.

HRD is basically a growth function with a substantial pro-active component. Industrial relations is maintenance function involving a reactive component..

Perfect coordination is essential if HRD has to be effective.    All the systems connected to it ought to be have a strong linkage with the other sub-systems. Such a multi-disciplinary approach also ensures that personnel management is not reduced to a bureaucratic exercise.