This article describes the various aspects of human resources development and highlights the intersections and the differences between what are often mistakenly viewed as interchangeable concepts. It argues that, while it is generally accepted that developing staff is fundamental to good organisational health and business outcomes, a clear…

In this paper, I would like to offer the suggestion that HRD (human resource development) become an ethics champion within the corporations and the organizations we serve. By surveying and synthesizing literature from higher education and professional associations on business ethics theory and practice, this paper provides both rationale as well…

A leader in human resource development reminisces about the people, places, and programs that made the field what it is today. (JOW)

To develop codes of ethics for their profession, college human resources personnel must first understand their primary job-related responsibilities. These include being alert to evolving organizational needs; coordinating needed training of employees; appreciating the nuances of psychology, communication, and motivation; and observing employee…

The author analyzes human resource planning, in which he gives the various aspects of career development a report card that, the author states, shows the field is far from achieving its self-stated goals. He states that succession planning and systems approaches would help this situation. (CT)

Examines the concepts of soul and spirituality and how they apply to the human resource development field in terms of values, beliefs, and motivators. Considers ways to nurture the soul of the field. (SK)

The article presents a theoretical analysis of the concept of reflection. The author argues in favour of the necessity of conceiving the concept of reflection in a broad sense, and not using the concept in the meaning of introspection. To grasp reflection in its complexity and as a core process in organisational learning it is necessary to…

When organizations integrate their career development and human resources planning activities into a comprehensive whole, it is the exception rather than the rule. One reason for the frequent dichotomy between career development and human resource planning is the failure to recognize that they are complements rather than synonyms or substitutes.…

While human resource development (HRD), an extension of education, is regarded as a helping profession, industry mandates that HRD contribute to the maximization of organizational outcomes. HRD personnel can easily become demotivated because of dual loyalties. In order not only to avoid stress and demotivation but also to maximize outcomes…

A review of literature and work with focus groups shows that, although adult education has always focused on helping undereducated adults prepare for work, since the early 1990s there has been emphasis on work force development (helping prepare the work force and get them into rewarding productive jobs) and workplace (organizational) change. A…

A panel of 11 human resource development (HRD) practitioners (2 session chairs and 9 panelists) participated in an innovation session devoted to critical thinking in HRD. The session objectives were as follows: (1) share knowledge, views, and beliefs about the relevance of critical management theory and research to the HRD community; (2) provide a…

Career development has evolved from the mid-1970s, when it was rarely linked with the word "organizational," to Walter Storey's work in organizational career development at General Electric in 1978. Its evolution has continued with career development workshops in organizations in the early 1980s to implementation of Corning's organizational career…

This packet contains three papers from a symposium on the future of human resource development. The first paper, "Should We Define the Profession of HRD? Views of Leading Scholars" (Wendy E. A. Ruona), explores whether human resource development (HRD) should be defined and why, which was one theme that emerged from a qualitative study of beliefs…

Organizations, with the help of human resource development (HRD) staff, must reexamine their objectives for future operations and the work force. Organizations with a focus on organizational development (OD) can provide meaningful work to employees and the organization itself. The OD framework consists of three units that must coexist as the major…

The reform of schools and the modernization of workplaces are inextricably linked. Finding common ground begins with a realization that educators have a tripartite mission to teach students to be good neighbors, involved citizens, and qualified workers. Unless the reform of schools and reform of workplaces proceed at the same pace, a mismatch is…