Abstract
The Human Resource Management in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) represents a complex and still underexplored field, despite the growing attention it has received from both academic research and practitioner. SMEs, are often characterized by informal management practices, strongly influenced by the central role of the entrepreneur and only partially supported by the presence of an HR Manager. This study, based on a survey conducted among 61 companies in the Insubria area, explores the extent to which HR managers and HR practices actually impact organizational structures and performance, highlighting limitations, opportunities, and future perspectives.