Conventional human performance technology has had a good run. It allowed scientific and data-based research to be applied to improve performance, usually just individual performance. The field must be expanded without losing this individual performance focus to include a scope that measurably improves performance for individuals and organizations…

Structuration theory helps to explain the role of human agency in the reciprocal relationship between social systems and structures, which Giddens called the "duality of structure." The theory explicates how power struggles emerge and are negotiated and, depending on the restructuration, can help to resolve conflict or lead to deteriorations and…

With the current economic downturn and signs of an emerging recovery, executives are trying to determine how to best use their organizations' funds and resources. This may mean downsizing human resource departments and eliminating positions for training personnel. The authors offer five strategies drawn from the professional literature to survive…

The People Capability Maturity Model[R] (People CMM[R]) advocates a staged approach to organizational change. Developed by the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute, this model seeks to bring discipline to the people side of management by promoting a structured, repeatable, and predictable approach for improving an…

This article focuses on the human performance improvement and human resource development task of providing an organization with a skilled workforce. We begin by describing the U.S. demographic trends and the changing job skill requirements that will lead to a shortage of skilled workers and that highlight the importance of considering the various…

Explains two main approaches to human resource development (HRD): the transactional, which focuses attention on training as an activity strategy; and transformational, which focuses on a results-driven strategy that is performance-centered and helps organizations achieve strategic business goals and objectives. Compares the role of HRD…

Discussion of human resource development (HRD) focuses on an exploratory study that attempted to identify key predictors of motivation to learn during training and motivation to transfer learning back to the workplace, as well as examine the relationship between the two variables. Presents conceptual frameworks for training transfer. (Author/LRW)

Discusses the role of human resource development (HRD) professionals in employee development and suggests instead that managers should be responsible for employee learning. Topics include understanding the learning process; learning partnerships; identifying and managing employee weaknesses; knowledge acquisition, management, and transfer plans;…

Examines the role of human resource development (HRD), job satisfaction, and organizational commitment in voluntary turnover decisions. Compares a sample of managers from public service agencies who left their jobs to a sample of currently employed managers, discusses attitudes toward HRD, and recommends further research on the role of HRD in…