Human capital and sustainable competitive advantage: an analysis of the relationship between training and performance

Abstract

This article analyses the importance of training as a creator of human capital, which enables a company to obtain competitive advantages that are sustainable in the long-term that result in greater profitability. The study is based on the general theoretical framework of resource and capacity theory. The study not only analyses the impact of the influence of training on performance; it also attempts to analyse the nature of such a relationship in greater depth. This being the case, an attempt has been made to measure explanatory capacity from two different perspectives: the universalistic approach and the contingent approach. At the outset, two hypotheses are formulated that attempt to quantify the relationship from a universalistic perspective to later, in two more hypotheses, incorporate the potential moderating effect of the strategy into the model, in order to verify whether or not this strategy improves the explanatory power of our model of analysis.

Intangible Assets Investment and Firms’ Performance: Evidence From Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Korea

“…Human capital resources containing education, training and experience are regarded as critical for creating a firm's competitiveness and value (Barney, 1991;Saridakis et al, 2017). Del Valle and Castillo (2009) suggested training as an investment in human capital, which helps enterprises acquire a competitive advantage that results in higher profitability. A firms'-human capital can be defined as a profitability factor (Blundell et al, 1999) and helps to absorb new knowledge, technology and skills (Unger et al, 2011;Reuber & Fisher, 1999).…”

Gender Dissimilarities in Human Capital Transferability of Cuban Immigrants in the US: A Clustering Quantile Regression Coefficients Approach with Consideration of Implications for Sustainability

“…Among these intangible resources, human capital plays a determining role in building a sustainable economy. Societies replacing women or not using them to their fullest capacity does not serve this goal [37].…”

Introduction: Contributions of Human Resource Management to the Challenges faced by Small‐ and Medium‐Sized Enterprises in the Global Environment

“…Further, Shrivastava and Shaw () showed that close linkages between technology and human resources can offer competitive advantage. Both Danvila‐del‐Valle and Castillo () and Heneman et al () proposed that researchers should develop theories specific to small firms as HRM knowledge and experience has been derived mostly from research conducted in large firms. Using theory inappropriate to the context can lead to misunderstandings.…”