European managers: HRM and an evolving role Available to Purchase

Based on research carried out in three European countries, Sweden, The Netherlands and the UK, the following text highlights the experiences and perceptions of European managers in organisational and managerial contexts. The findings reveal a number of convergent trends manifested through the experiences and consciousness of middle managers. What is specifically highlighted is the transformation of the role of manager in Europe against the background of a multitude of contingent influences; not only in the practices of middle management function but also in the cacophony of the accompanying discourses. It is posited that structured HRM support can considerably aid the middle manager to cope with the contradictory role demanded by this new world of work; and, paradoxically, it is a plea for self managed learning conducted by middle managers themselves within an HRM supportive environment.