Developing Human Capital in American Manufacturing: A Case Study of Barriers to Training and Development

by Crutchfield,Elaine B.

• ISBN13: 9780815335849
• ISBN10: 0815335849
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-12-01
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

This qualitative case study of an American manufacturing organization describes the barriers which limited its ability to receive maximum return on its investment for training and development resources invested in their human assets. Changing global economics have forced organizations to the realization that their competitive advantage lies in developing and tapping into their human assets or human capital. Professionals, managers, human resource development specialists, and academicians alike have developed theories supporting the systematic development of human assets to improve performance and achieve organizational business goals. This book examines how one organization, typically described as a High Performance Organization, attempted to put theory into application. Specifically, the book examines the concepts of needs assessment, systems theory, organization development, human capital theory, and performance improvement. The results find a systemic failure in human asset development initiativesrooted in the failure to view the organization as a whole, systematically assess performance, and involve the entire organization in designing and implementing a holistic approach to improving performance and developing the organizations human assets. Specifically, inefficient organizational structure and lack of clearly defined business goals were significant barriers to the systematic development of their human assets.

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Figures	ix
Preface	xi
Acknowledgments	xv
Part I: Understanding Organizations and Their Emphasis on Training
The Half-Million Dollar Question	3	(14)
Current Thoughts on Organizations and the Forces Impacting Their Performance	17	(12)
Current Thoughts on Development of the Human Asset	29	(14)
Summary	43	(4)
Part II: The Study of an American Manufacturing Company
The Design of the Study	47	(18)
The Collection and Analysis of Data	65	(18)
Summary	83	(6)
Part III: The Results
Training: Defined and Described	89	(10)
Training: The Selection Process	99	(12)
Assessment of Performance Needs	111	(12)
Training: Evaluation	123	(10)
Structure of the Organization	133	(20)
Summary	153	(6)
Part IV: Conclusions
Discussion of Results	159	(10)
Executive Summary	169	(4)
Appendices	173	(14)
Glossary	187	(2)
Bibliography	189	(12)
Index	201