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Chapter 20 of Human Resource Management in a Business Context (2nd Edition) by Alan Price - published by Thomson Learning
Contents
Objectives
The purpose of this chapter is to:
- Outline the concept of human resource development.
- Investigate and evaluate human resource development initiatives at national level.
- Debate the need for distinctive management and gender-focused HRD programmes.
- Introduce the concept of mentoring.
HRD strategies
Human resource development at the national level
The meritocratic ideal
Education and training
Vocational education and training
Development programmes
Management development
Developing women
Mentoring
Summary
Competitiveness demands a diverse workforce and up-to-date skills. The free market belief in 'buying-in'
skill has proven inadequate, even in times of high unemployment. HRD allows people
managers to be proactive, focusing on employees as investments for the organization.
One of the great strategic contributions of HRM lies in the planning of skill
availability in advance of need. Development programmes involve more than training and
may be focused on competences, gender and role. They require constant accurate assessment,
counselling and personal challenge. Development also involves socialization of employees
to fit the cultural requirements of the company.
Further reading
Stephen Gibb's Learning and Development (published by Palgrave/Macmillan, 2002)
provides a good overview accompanied by a number of case study examples. Employee
Training & Development, 2nd edition by Raymond A. Noe (published by McGraw-Hill/Irwin,
2001) covers the fundamentals of training and development. HRD and Learning
Organisations in Europe (Routledge Studies in Human Resource Development) edited
by Saksia Tjepkema, Jim Stewart and Sally Sambrook (published by Routledge, 2002)
provides case studies from a number of European countries. Creating a Training and
Development Strategy by Andrew Mayo (published by CIPD, 1998) has been described as
an ABC of HRD strategy. Management Development by Jean Woodall and Diana Winstanley
(also published by CIPD, 1998) takes a multi-perspective view of the topic.
Review questions
Problem for discussion and analysis - Change in Japan
The book can also be ordered from any good bookstore or directly from the publishers at Thomson Learning. On that website make sure your shipping region is correct (bottom of left hand column),
then follow this track: Business and Economics > Management > Human Resource Management.
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