Human Resource Development (HRD) is a practice that combines training, organizational development, and career development efforts to encourage improvement of individual, group, and organizational performance. Its purpose is to enhance employee performance and productivity, which leads to employee and customer satisfaction and an increase in the profitability of the organization. HRD is extraordinarily vital for the success of an organization. HRD considers the objectives and goals of the business. HRD can be achieved through implementing the most effective learning theories to enhance the skills and talents of an organization’s employees.

It is particularly important for all organizations and managers to recognize the fact that the highly competitive business environment of today’s world mainly focuses upon the efficient use of its human resources through training and development so that they can produce the maximum in a given amount of time. Therefore, organizations should clearly understand that their efforts need to be concentrated on attaining the best from their human resources.

To proceed with the discussion of HRD, we should first understand what human resources are. Human resources refer to the individuals within the organization who make a beneficial contribution to obtaining the organization’s goal(s).

HRD is comprised of employee training, employee development, learning and education. Employees who have acquired widespread training, learning and development education are the most efficient and effective employees to work in today’s highly competitive business environment. HRD fosters the skills of employees so that they can provide maximum productivity to the organization for which they work.

There are many theories that attempt to provide the foundation of HRD. Two of these theories, Behaviorism and Situated Learning, play a major role in enhancing a trainer’s understanding of the adult learning process.

Behaviorism

The theory of behaviorism is valuable for the development of competencies. It is most advantageous when a change in the behavior of an employee is desired. This theory plays an important role in judging the attitudes of the employees. Behaviorism is a model of training for employees.

Situated Learning

The situated theory of learning allows employees of an organization to learn their tasks in real world situations in which they socialize and interact with other trainees. Situated learning allows employees to learn their tasks through real life applications which not only enhances their training experience but also motivates them to feel more excited and interested about their work.

Summary

The theories of behaviorism and situated learning allow employees to learn skills and foster talents so that they work more efficiently. Organizations that emphasize human resource development for the continuous process of learning of employees as well as organizational learning benefit from increased performance and the achievement of the organization’s principal objectives.

By Shirley J. Caruso, M.A., Human Resource Development