The role of national HRD in an era of COVID-19

ABSTRACT

COVID-19 has revealed the many ways in which processes across the globe have failed us. If NHRD were in place globally, many of these issues should not have occurred. This has especially been the case in the U.S. The country with the most highly developed NHRD, South Korea, has had among the greatest success in fighting the virus. In this article, I will explore many of these issues at the micro, meso, macro, and cross-country perspectives in which NHRD can improve on the failed processes and prepare for the next pandemic, whenever it occurs.     

Putting the individual and context back into national human resource development research: A systematic review and research agenda

Conceptualization of national human resource development (NHRD) emphasizes that it is an ongoing development process of the individual that is shaped by context. However, the extant literature has focused primarily on describing and evaluating NHRD policies and interventions in different countries with limited consideration of NHRD across the lifespan and the interaction of life stage with context. Using ecological systems theory (EST) and a lifespan development perspective (LDP), we present a systematic review of the NHRD literature based on 310 sources. We identify key themes and gaps in research across the lifespan and at distinct levels of the ecological system. We build on this review to suggest future research informed by both EST and an LDP. We propose a future research agenda focused on several key areas, including: the developing individual as the primary focus of NHRD; the dynamic relationship between NHRD microsystems and how this evolves over time; the exosystem and macrosystem, which provide the context of the NHRD development experience for the individual over their lifespan; and the imperatives of directing research attention to top-down and bottom-up influences within the ecological system. We also propose three methodological innovations to address many of the questions raised by our review, drawing on national archive databases, the use of historical methods and a focus on longitudinal data analysis. Finally, we highlight the practical implications of our analysis for ecosystem and microsystem NHRD actors.     

The role of tourism in national human resource development: a Jamaican perspective

Research in the national human resource development (NHRD) field is increasingly considering unique cultural and economic conditions and the influence this may have on a number of employment-related indicators. To date, the NHRD literature has largely ignored issues related to skills training and workforce development in the tourism industry, despite the expanding nature of this dynamic service sector in many nations. This literature review study of NHRD in Jamaica examined ongoing national-level human resource development (HRD) initiatives with specific attention to the current and future impact of NHRD on the tourism industry. The results showed that governmental development plans clearly identified tourism as a key sector for economic growth to support larger economic and social development goals. Furthermore, the development of human resources in the tourism sector was seen as being of vital importance for tourism organizations and for the continued development of Jamaica. The existing NHRD literature has largely overlooked the potential influence and future role of the tourism industry to assist in education, training and development goals at the national level. Recommendations are made for additional research exploring connections between NHRD and tourism employment.     

Postcolonialism and national HRD: understanding contemporary challenges to skills development in sub-Saharan Africa

This paper argues that national human resource development (NHRD) practices, policy imperatives and challenges in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are linked to colonial experiences and coloniality. In doing this, the essay provides a brief overview of the intersections between postcolonialism and NHRD theory and practice, arguing that postcolonial insights can help overcome the ahistorical nature that characterizes much NHRD theorizing and also its reification. By demonstrating how current challenges to education and skills development in SSA are linked to colonial heritage and coloniality, the paper seeks to stimulate HRD theorists and practitioners to think differently and work beyond dominant neoliberal constructs and taken-for-granted assumptions about NHRD in postcolonial contexts. The paper also argues for the decolonization of NHRD and proposes some ideas about how knowledge about NHRD theory and practices might be made global and inclusive, thereby contributing to a tradition of paradigmatic critique in HRD theorizing.     

National Human Resource Development in practice: an interview with M.V. Subbiah

Theory and research in National Human Resource Development (NHRD) to date has relied extensively on literature reviews or on the analysis of secondary sources of data. To address this perceived gap, I elected to interview an NHRD practitioner to advance the scholarly conversation using the case example of India. This article is an interview with the chairperson of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), India. The NSDC is the first private–public–government partnership or coalition, organized to support workforce education and development issues. Given the urgent demand for a skilled workforce, the Government of India has targeted skill development of 500 million people in the next decade (NSDC website). In terms of the state of the art in NHRD practice, the goals of the organization (NSDC) and the perspectives shared by the chairperson offer valuable insights in the implementation of one of the many evolving NHRD strategies in India. Interestingly, the chairperson of the NSDC, in a previous life, was the head of the Murugappa Group, one of the biggest industrial groups of companies in India. Thus, this interview offers unique perspectives of a successful chief executive officer turned NHRD practitioner on the challenges and opportunities facing India. Further, the interview highlights the contribution of NSDC and similar industry–government partnerships and suggests potential implications for other developing countries.     

Advancing national human resource development research: suggestions for multilevel investigations

National human resource development (NHRD) is now an important area of investigation within human resource development with significant growth in publications over 49 years. Scholars have, however, highlighted the need for multilevel approaches to NHRD. We reviewed 192 papers to identify gaps on multilevel theorizing, and we propose a multilevel framework incorporating macro, meso, and micro levels of analysis. We develop principles and guidelines around WHAT, HOW, WHERE, WHEN, and WHY questions to promote multilevel NHRD research. Finally, we discuss research and methodological implications of our review.     

Analysis of strengths and weaknesses in the National Human Resource Development systems of BRICS

National Human Resource Development (NHRD) takes a humane and long-term perspective to the human resources of each country in terms of national growth. This research evaluated the human resource development competitiveness of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) countries from the perspective of NHRD. This study selected Global Human Resource Competitiveness Index to assess the NHRD of BRICS. Although it is generally considered that the BRICS countries have high growth potential with large population, this analysis showed that they have a common weakness in the balanced development and use of human resources from the perspective of NHRD. In this respect, this study compares and analyses the characteristics and strength/weakness of each BRICS country. This research can inform evaluation of policies on national human resource development. Additionally, it can provide basic data for identifying the status of the human resource development system.     

An integrated model of national HRD and critical HRD: considering new possibilities for human resource development

Though both National Human Resource Development (NHRD) and Critical Human Resource Development (CHRD) have received an increasing amount of attention, only two published works have used an explicitly critical approach to discuss NHRD norms, policies, and practices. The purpose of this article was to examine and articulate the relationship between NHRD and CHRD and make a case for the importance of that relationship to the field of HRD. We identify some commonalities between NHRD and CHRD, including the shared priorities of context, culture, and empowerment, which provide a strong foundation for future focuses on theory-sharing, global awareness, holistic and socially conscious economic development, negotiated power and performance, and emancipation in HRD research and practice.     

Recent books on HRD

Abstract

The growing potential and need for knowledge and information have had a profound impact on Korea as it strives to develop strategies for national human resource development (NHRD). Within Korea, one strategy for developing NHRD is through regional efforts. However, there is little research regarding regional HRD (RHRD), in spite of the importance of such a focus. This article explores directions and policy-making strategies for RHRD in Busan. 1 1 Busan is often written as Pusan in English, though Busan is preferred in Korea.      

A necessary dialogue: a South African case study exploring the role of national HRD in HIV/AIDS non-government organizations

This article makes the case for a coordinated and multi-faceted national level response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in South Africa from the field of human resource development (HRD), arguing that national policy debate on this issue must include the development of human resources in HIV/AIDS non-governmental organizations (NGOs). An exploration of potential connections between HIV/AIDS and HRD was conducted with a qualitative case study in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Through this study, four major thematic categories emerged in connection to the work of NGOs involved in the management of HIV/AIDS, government policy, and the emerging theory and practice of national human resource development (NHRD). In addition, findings pointed to the need for HRD research to be conducted in HIV/AIDS related NGOs given their front-line roles in both policy and practice. Initial suggestions for dialogue between NGOs involved with managing HIV/AIDS and the HRD research and practice community are made along with recommendations for stronger linkages between NHRD and HIV/AIDs.     

Learning in Public Sector Organizations: A Theory of Action Approach

The importance of learning has since long been acknowledged for both business and public sector organizations. However, learning theory and research have tended to neglect the differences between these organizations, and to develop in separate and unrelated directions. To address these developments, this paper purports, first, to develop a theoretical framework that integrates various concepts from the fields of public policy learning and organizational learning, and that is specifically directed at public sector organizations. Second, the paper purports to illustrate the utility of this framework by applying it to policy-making in a Dutch municipality, the Pegasustown prostitution case.     

Reengineering of a supply chain management system: A case study

A business process reengineering (BPR) project concerning a supply chain management (SCM) system of a heavy machinery manufacturing company has been discussed in this paper. The BPR implementation process model has been described. The principal objective of this project has been to bring about radical changes in the mind sets, management styles and systems of a very mature but large organization in India. The implementation process has been very successful because the model has been explored by an organizational development initiative. BPR is both feasible and worthwhile in business only when ideas and ideals are put willingly in practice; and is practised in a collaborative mode to get closer to the people, especially at the floor level, and to customers and suppliers.     

Tardiness heuristic for scheduling Flexible Manufacturing Systems

Abstract

This paper evaluates the tardiness performance of a sampling-based adaptive heuristic in a dynamic manufacturing environment. A test bed, following a real world manufacturing system, has been developed. The proposed algorithm has been implemented in this simulated environment. After fine tuning the algorithm, it has been tested in various shop conditions. The results of these simulation studies are summarized.     

Perceptions of the effectiveness of training and development of ‘grey-collar’ workers in the People's Republic of China

An important human resource development (HRD) implication of the People's Republic of China's (PRC) rapidly expanding economy has been the emergence of a critical shortage of grey-collar workers (GCW). Although ‘grey-collar’ has been commonly used in the West to describe an aging population within the workforce, in China it refers to people who are neither white nor blue collar workers but technicians. The shortage of GCW constrains the PRC's economic and developmental sustainability, and has been recognized in central and provincial government initiatives to increase training and development of employees within these fields. While acknowledged as a policy and organizational problem, there has been no research investigating what organizations are doing to develop these employees. Drawing upon a survey of 310 semi-skilled and skilled employees in Beijing, our findings suggest that while the surveyed organizations are investing heavily in both on- and off-the-job training, employees' perceived value of such differs markedly according to age and position. The research has important implications for China's HRD strategy in suggesting links between training and other human resource management (HRM) functions are yet to be evidenced.     

Hoshin Kanri: Implementing the Catchball Process

Involving employees in strategy deployment is an active topic of strategic management, but has been difficult to achieve in western companies. The methodology known as Hoshin Kanri has proved an effective strategy deployment process in Japan where it has been extensively applied for integrating strategy and Total Quality Management (TQM), but its adoption in the West has been low, except for a few innovatory companies. The application of Hoshin Kanri relies on a process called “catchball” to gain consensus on the deployment of Hoshin targets and measures in a team environment. This paper presents a process design based on an adaptation of the Delphi technique for the effective implementation of catchball, to reinforce the link between the corporate strategy and annual planning cycle. The catchball process described was implemented at the Rover Group, a UK-based automotive company, to develop the company's quality strategy based on Hoshin Kanri principles.     

Hybrid heuristic for design of cellular manufacturing systems

Cell design in Cellular Manufacturing Systems (CMS) assumes significance due to the incremental nature of implementation. In this study a hybrid heuristic has been developed considering incremental aspect of implementation. The heuristic identifies complete cells (if they exist), otherwise forms a CMS with combination of regular cells and a remainder cell which caters to the needs of exceptional parts/operations. The heuristic has been tested with the standard problems in the literature. It is found that the proposed heuristic produces superior solutions in 62.22% cases and the same solutions in the remaining cases. Further, statistical testing has been conducted and found that the performance of the proposed heuristic is significantly better than the existing methods.     

Using Economic Freedom Indexes as Policy Indicators: An Intercontinental Example

We use time-series cross-section analysis to provide empirical validation for the existence of a specific American ethos and a specific European ethos with respect to economic policy. In our innovation, economic policy is proxied by “economic freedom” from the Fraser Institute database and constitutional “political institutions” are proxied by variables from the Database of Political Institutions (from the World Bank). Our results suggest that, once we control for political and institutional differences, the United States and Europe still pursue different economic policies.

GLUTTONY AND SLOTH? CALORIES,LABOR MARKET ACTIVITY AND THE RISE OF OBESITY

The rise in obesity has largely been attributed to an increase in calorie consumption. We show that official government household survey data indicate that levels of calorie consumption have declined in England between 1980 and 2013; while there has been an increase in calories from food eaten out at restaurants, fast food, soft drinks and confectionery, overall there has been a decrease in total calories purchased. Households have shifted towards more expensive calories, both by substituting away from home production towards market production, and substituting towards higher quality foods. We show that the decline in calories can be partially, but not entirely, rationalized with weight gain by a decline in the strenuousness of work and daily life. (JEL: D12, I12, I18)     

电子商务环境下的消费者行为研究

本文首先分析了电子商务环境下消费者行为相对于传统的商业模式所表现的特点:消费市场的细分化、服务需求的主流化、选择范围的扩大化和购买行为的理性化、生产和流通循环的直接化;然后分析了影响消费者网上购买行为的宏观和微观因素,最后建立了电子商务环境下的基于计划行动理论的消费者行为模型。