Purpose: The importance of purchasing and supply management (PSM) for business performance has received considerable attention in recent years. However, research on PSM training and education is inadequate. This paper aims to present initial findings from PSM practitioners about current PSM training and education needs in Hong Kong.…

Firms with the ability to provide superior customer service can accrue significant competitive advantage and research suggests that frontline service employees' (FLSEs) actions have a considerable influence on the success of service operations. Yet, the high level of customer defections consistently attributed to poor and indifferent service…

Presents a research-based model for human resource development effectiveness. Model standards specify that the HRD function has (1) the ability to diagnose problems, (2) the support of the corporate mission and culture, (3) a commitment to strategic planning and support for organizational change, (4) clearly defined staff roles and…

Discusses the competence and productivity of American labor which the author ascribes to the effectiveness of training. (EK)

Excerpts from a study are presented in which the following were examined: (1) the start-up industry training programs of South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Alabama; (2) their effect on industrial relocation trends; and (3) leapfrogging of the unemployed and underemployed into the labor force, particularly in rural areas. (Author/BP)

A study of participation in training had as subjects black and white employees who were 17-24 years of age, not enrolled in school from 1966 to 1969, and who received company-sponsored training. Most of the employees were in lower socio-economic status jobs. Some 19% of the black youths received some pretraining, while approximately 10% of the…

The report provides an assessment of the six Experimental Manpower Laboratories set up by the Manpower Administration to engage in long-term research concerned with developing improved manpower service-delivery systems. An advisory committee under the auspices of the National Research Council was established to conduct the assessment. The six…

An evaluation of the imposed Washington Plan and the Voluntary Indianapolis Plan for improving minority utilization in construction indicates that both plans have led to an improvement of employment opportunities for the target groups in general and for blacks in particular. Review procedures under both plans are discussed for restructuring in…

Presents a theoretical discussion of evaluation research and the need for gathering data to support the decision-making process concerned with training program performance. Guidelines for conducting evaluation research are discussed, the participants involved with successful implementation are described, and data gathering methods are explained.…

This paper draws on a telephone survey of 116 independent SMEs to explore the impact of a variety of training interventions on human resource (HR) practices and business performance in Great Britain. The paper investigates the extent to which targeting such interventions on the managers of SMEs affects the impact and the likelihood of changes in…

The paper describes a current research project now being conducted by the Experimental Manpower Laboratory at Mobilization for Youth (MFY-EML) in New York City. The overall objective of the MFY-EML is to develop and test new methods of teaching vocational skills to hard-to-employ youth. The MFY-EML is involved in developing a program to teach…

The extensive education and training programs established and run by business and industry for their own employees are discussed. The extent of corporate education is assessed with attention to cost, participation, providers, curricula, methods of instruction, organization, evaluation, and corporate colleges. Historical developments concerning…

A study examined training and staff development initiatives in Australian industrial and commercial organizations. It was carried out using a questionnaire and structured interview technique with 24 organizations. Larger organizations had their own facilities and trained in-house whereas smaller organizations made more use of Technical and Further…

A useful, values-oriented human resource development (HRD) program evaluation approach is one that is empirical with its orientation derived from a social/technical perspective. The optimum mix between the technical skills of evaluation and the required social skills of evaluation delivery is crucial for the quality assurance process. The core to…

Recent Australian research provides a solid body of evidence that training investments can yield very high levels of returns for firms across a range of sectors. It highlights these important factors about returns on investment (ROI): ROI come in many forms; immediate ROI are highest when training is highly focused; measuring ROI is not always…