Human Resource Development Review current issue

The Epistemology of Practice: An Argument for Practice-Based Research in HRD

Dirkx, J. M. — 2008-08-18

Strategic Intellectual Capital Development: A Defining Paradigm for HRD?

Holton, E. F., Yamkovenko, B. — 2008-08-18

The performance paradigm of human resource development (HRD) practice has served the field well, particularly in enhancing the relevance and impact of HRD interventions. However, in this article, it is argued that the time has come for a new defining paradigm to advance the field of HRD to a higher level of organizational impact. This article proposes that strategic intellectual capital development (SICD) should be that new paradigm. The argument for SICD is built by merging two streams of research. First, the development of human capital theory is traced through to its expanded conceptualization of intellectual capital theory. Second, the argument for a strategic approach is built off the strategic human resource management literature. The SICD perspective is offered as a robust and broad conceptualization that is essential for HRD to provide organizations the intellectual horsepower to achieve their strategic objectives.

Institutionalizing Ethics: A Synthesis of Frameworks and the Implications for HRD

Foote, M. F., Ruona, W. E.A. — 2008-08-18

Today, many human resource professionals are faced with the responsibilities of implementing ethics initiatives in the workplace. The integration of ethics is becoming an aspect of organizational life to counter unethical conduct, enhance the organization's reputation, and stimulate the attraction and retention of talent. Scholars believe ethical behavior must be institutionalized—evidenced in daily practices and rooted in organizational culture—to sustain ethics in the workplace. It is becoming increasingly clear that human resource development (HRD) professionals significantly contribute, and even more, to the process of institutionalizing ethics. This article synthesizes the literature by comparing several of the frameworks for the institutionalization of ethics that have been forwarded in research and theory during the past 15 years. Implications for HRD professionals as key contributors in the institutionalization of ethics process are discussed.

Human Resource Development and Project Management: Key Connections

Carden, L. L., Egan, T. M. — 2008-08-18

As human resource development (HRD) efforts increase in scope, complexity and link to increasing numbers of key stakeholders, so do demands for careful and systematic execution of HRD implementation. Use of project management strategies and tools is an emerging solution for HRD implementation. Using a systematic literature search, intersections between project management and HRD literature are outlined. Key findings are presented for both articles that explore project management— and HRD-related issues explicitly as well as emerging HRD literature that may have import for HRD-related concerns. A summative figure, conceptual framework, propositions for HRD project management, and implications for research, theory, and practice are discussed.

Workplace Commitment: A Conceptual Model Developed From Integrative Review of the Research

Fornes, S. L., Rocco, T. S., Wollard, K. K. — 2008-08-18

This article investigates the previous research and theories of workplace commitment using content analysis and concept mapping. It provides a conceptual model of workplace commitment, integrating the literature on organizational commitment, occupational/career commitment, and individual commitment. The significance of this article lies in the integration of the extant literature on commitment and the development of a conceptual model of workplace commitment and related propositions derived from the literature. The article discusses interventions that can be used by human resource development (HRD) researchers and practitioners to improve organizational performance by developing workplace commitment in the organization.

Economics and Human Resource Development: A Rejoinder

Wang, G. G., Swanson, R. A. — 2008-08-18

This article focuses on the areas agreement between two recent and seemingly disparate Human Resource Development Review articles by Wang and Swanson (2008) and McLean, Lynham, Azevedo, Lawrence, and Nafukho (2008). The foundational roles of economics in human resource development theory and practice are highlighted as well as the need for comparative studies. A framework for conducting comparative human resource development policy studies is proposed.

Using a Problem Orientation to Frame Issues in Human Resource Development

Chermack, T. J. — 2008-08-18