Abstract:
Human Resource Managers (HR Managers) play a vital role to increase the performance of
organizations. Therefore this paper examined the relationship between roles of HR Manager
(in terms of the categorization, done by Dave Ulrich) and firm performance in financial firms in
Sri Lanka. In order to acquire a better view of this issue, financial performance, effectiveness,
efficiency and development have been used as measures for various aspects of firm performance.
Variables are neither manipulated nor controlled for the study. Hence, the study was conducted in
a non contrived setting. As the data for this study was collected at a single point in time, the study
was cross sectional in time horizon. As the Sample for this study, financial companies in Sri Lanka
were selected. The unit of analysis was at the individual level. A questionnaire developed by the
researchers was used to collect the data for the study. Correlation coefficient was used to identify
the relationship between roles of HR manager and the firm performance. The research findings
showed that roles of HR manager have a more significant influence on efficiency, effectiveness and
development aspects, as opposed to financial performance. There is a high impact of Administrative
expert as one role of HR Manager on efficiency. Being a strategic partner was influenced highly on
effectiveness and development aspects of firm performance Also, high orientation in all four roles
did not lead to improved firm performance.
