The Idea of National HRD: An Analysis Based on Economics and Theory Development Methodology

Abstract

Recent human resource development (HRD) literature focuses attention on national HRD (NHRD) research and represents problems in both HRD identity and research methodology. Based on a review of development economics and international development literature, this study analyzes the existing NHRD literature with respect to the theory development methodology. The study presents four propositions that challenge the present idea of NHRD. This study concludes that the methods used in the NHRD literature fall short in rigor when compared to economic theory research. This study also presents detailed implications for NHRD policy research and theory development.

Human Capital Developments an Interdisciplinary Approach for Individual, Organization Advancement and Economic Improvement

“…The first school of thought can be seen in the direction of cognitive growth towards economic capacity increase, in the sense that this recognizes and differentiate acquired capacities that is the skills from the human being himself. The second school of thought applied holistic approach to human capital development theory, that is this school of thought recognizes the total human, that is the mental or knowledge capacity, which is a function of education and health, the well-being of the human possessing the skills (Wang & Swanson, 2008). The importance of health in human capital development theory border mainly on the effective and economic application of the acquired knowledge or cognition, for instance labor with high level education and skills acquisition to be healthy to in good health in order to be able to make effective use of the acquired skills.…”

“…The importance of health in human capital development theory border mainly on the effective and economic application of the acquired knowledge or cognition, for instance labor with high level education and skills acquisition to be healthy to in good health in order to be able to make effective use of the acquired skills. If for instance, he is not in good health, then the economic importance of cognitive increase cannot be explored or reaped (Wang & Swanson, 2008). This is why Education and Health are inseparable twins in Human Capital Development Theory; education is the base, the intellectual skills and property acquired to be able to function well or to increase economic capacity while health, when it is good, is the maintenance of the acquired intellectual skills (Nigerian National Planning Commission, 2004;Nwafor & Salau, 2011;Wang & Swanson, 2008).…”

“…If for instance, he is not in good health, then the economic importance of cognitive increase cannot be explored or reaped (Wang & Swanson, 2008). This is why Education and Health are inseparable twins in Human Capital Development Theory; education is the base, the intellectual skills and property acquired to be able to function well or to increase economic capacity while health, when it is good, is the maintenance of the acquired intellectual skills (Nigerian National Planning Commission, 2004;Nwafor & Salau, 2011;Wang & Swanson, 2008).…”

Justifying a Study on Constructing a National Human Resource Development Model as Practiced in Malaysia

“…The current NHRD literature provides definitions of NHRD (McLean, 2004;Yang, D. Zang, & M. Zang, 2004;Bartlett & Rodgers, 2004;Lynham & Cunningham, 2004;Scotland, 2004;Cooper, 2004;Cox, Arkoubi, & Estrada, 2006;Hasler, Thompson, & Schuler, 2006;Cunningham, Lynham, & Weatherly, 2006); pressures and imperatives to NHRD, alternative NHRD models, importance and challenges of NHRD, attributes of excellent NHRD and its desirable outcomes (Cho & McLean, 2004;Lynham & Cunningham, 2006), theories behind NHRD (Paprock, 2006), country experiences in implementing NHRD (2004 and 2006 NHRD country's case studies), and some debates over the new emergence of NHRD (Wang, 2008;Wang, Korte, & Sun, 2008;Wang & Swanson, 2008a;McLean et al, 2008).…”

Human resource management: tools and strategies

“…First, the local traditions remain essential determining the evolution of the local conditions. The question is clearly raised by N.M. Habib At the macro level, recent research included the presentation and review of theories and perspectives on national HRD in developing countries (Wang & Swanson, 2008): What can, and what should a developing country's government administration do to promote meaningful national HRD (human resource development)? How can a developing country's administration achieve national HRD most effectively in the light of the complexity and difficult realities of modern world?…”