Econometric cost functions have begun to appear in education adequacy cases with greater frequency. Cost functions are superficially attractive because they give the impression of objectivity, holding out the promise of scientifically estimating the cost of achieving specified levels of performance from actual data on spending. By contrast, the…

During the past few years, the growth of an emergent "coaching industry" in many countries has resulted in some scholars calling for the development of a "coaching profession." Yet, contemporary HRD and OD professionals conceive of coaching as a necessary area of expertise. This paper reports the results of a qualitative study of different…

We discuss how economic theory has analyzed the effects of being GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender). We find that economics has focused on finding earnings differentials between GLBT and heterosexuals. The issue is, however, whether the standard analytical techniques available in economics, can be applied to sexual minorities. A number…

This study explores the corporate university (CU) phenomenon based on human capital theory through a comprehensive review of literatures in economics and HRD (human resource development). Different from existing CU literature, the study found that, as HRD operational entities, CUs and traditional universities are rooted in different skills…

This article reviews evaluation studies published in the HRD (human resource development) field. The authors further discuss general evaluation theories in terms of value, use, and evaluator role. The comparison of this literature suggests that evaluation in HRD has been limited by narrow perspectives. The authors attribute this narrow notion of…

This article explores and appraises Gregory Bateson's theory of "levels of learning" and its implications for Human Resource Development, with reference to issues of organizational learning. In Part One, after briefly reviewing Bateson's biography, the origins and contents of the theory are described. In Part Two, three particular features of the…

I use data from the State University of New York to examine whether changes in community college attendance costs yield different impacts on first-time enrollment in different community college programs. Evidence is strong that academic-program enrollment significantly and substantially decreases when 2-year tuition increases, but weaker that it…

Denver's performance-pay system for teachers has long been hailed as a model, in good part because it was jointly conceived and implemented by the school district and the local teachers' union. However, that collaborative spirit is now in jeopardy, with union and district leaders engaged in a protracted battle over proposed changes to the system.…

Increasing change in the labor market has produced new forms of employment. A growing number of people have temporary jobs or are self-employed freelancers. The aim of our study is to address these changes by introducing commitment to the form of employment as a new focus in commitment. In addition, we compare organizational commitment under…

This article presents an analysis of the higher education-to-work transition from the perspective of the competition for job positions between students and degree holders. The conceptual framework used addresses two factors influencing the success of policies that aim to support higher education-to-work transition of youth in a knowledge society:…

The employment contract is sometimes misunderstood by both employees and employers. Drafters of employee manuals, policies, and procedures should be aware that the nature of the at-will employment relationship can be transformed into a binding employment contract by the words and phrases chosen. In this article, the author uses the case of Eric,…

As a result of strong economic growth, limited growth of the working population, and a number of other socioeconomic factors, the United States presently has labor shortages in some locations for a variety of jobs. This booklet outlines various aspects of labor shortages and suggests ways that Department of Labor (DOL) activities might be used to…

Data were collected from 69 large employers and interviews were held with 25 of these for purposes of introducing the researchers to research in the problems of manpower planning and forecasting. Findings from this heuristic survey of employers included: (1) 72 percent forecast some of their manpower requirements, (2) 36 percent forecast external…

This is the first part of a study directed at supplying information about labor relations in the construction industry in Ontario. Presented in tables by occupations are data pertaining to: (1) straight time hourly wage rates, (2) employee payments for vacations and other fringe benefits, (3) daily and weekly hours paid at straight time rates, (4)…

Training of professionals and technicians should be means to an end, not an end in itself. (Editor)