This paper reports on a study which determines the relative importance of factors that contribute to a high-quality program in human resources, and which explores the effectiveness of distance education as the vehicle for deliv ery. The study considers the views of students and their industry employers and finds that they both place most importance on the distance education product, when compared to service and outcomes; and on the acquisition of knowledge when compared to other outcomes. Key challenges that emerge include the need for providers to align programs closer to industry require ments, the need for industry to support their personnel who are engaged in education, and for students to address issues related to their personal abilities and the nature of distance education.
Bowden, J.A. and Masters, G.N. (1993) Implications for higher education of a competency-based approach to education and training. Canberra: AGPS.
2.
Bowen, P. (1993) Open learning formats in high performance training . In A. Tait (ed.), Key issues in open learning. Harlow: Longman.
3.
Broad, M.L. and Newstrom, J.W. (1992) Transfer of training action-packed strategies to ensure high payoff from training investments. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.
Business/Higher Education Round Table (1993 ) Graduating to the workplace, business students' views about their education. Camberwell, Vic.: Commissioned Report No. 3, Business/Higher Education Round Table.
6.
Caccioppe, R., Warren-Langford, L. and Bell, L. (1990) Trends in human resource development and training . Asia Pacific Human Resource Management, 28(2): 55-70.
7.
Cooksey, C.A. and Gates, G.R. (1995) HRM: A management science in need of discipline . Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 33(3): 15-38.
8.
Davidson, P., Southey, G. and Williams, T. (1995) Process and curriculum in teaching international human resource management. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources , 33(3): 53-9.
9.
Dickenson, C.A., Fisher, C.D., Shaw, J.B. and Southey, G. (1995) Teaching HRM and managerial skills with the 'Living Case'. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 33(3): 39-52.
10.
Evans, T. (1994) Understanding learners in open and distance education . London: Kogan Page.
11.
Evans, T. and Nation, D. (1989) Dialogue in practice, research and theory in distance education. Open Learning, June: 37-42.
12.
Fenwick, J. (1991) A question of quality: Aspects of quality in distance learning. In R. Atkinson, C. McBeath and D. Meacham (eds) Quality in distance education ASPESA Forum 91. Bathurst, NSW: Australian and South Pacific External Studies Association.
13.
Foggo, T. (1993) The introduction of open learning as a change process . In A.Tait (ed.), Key Issues in Open Learning. Harlow: Longman .
14.
Gronroos, C. (1990) Service management and marketing managing the moments of truth in service competition. Singapore: Lexington Books Maxwell Macmillan Publishing.
15.
Harvey, L. and Green D. (1993) Defining quality. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 18(1): 9-34.
16.
Henderikx, P. (1992) Management and promotion of quality in distance education. Open Learning, November: 34-41.
17.
Herbert, S.P. (1984) People power. Beverly Hills, CA: SAGE Publications
18.
Heskin, K., Ng Gan, C. and Sharma, R. (1993) Assessing outcomes of university study: An SUT pilot study of the perceived importance of generic skills outcomes. Conference proceedings. Sydney: Australasian Association for Institutional Research.
19.
Higher Education Council (1992) Achieving quality. Canberra: AGPS .
20.
Hosie, P.J. (1992) Human resource managers and training: A peek into the future. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 30(3): 49-66.
21.
Laver, P. (1992) Developing an NBEET view of quality in higher education . In J. Anwyl (ed.), Quality in higher education: proceedings of the National Invitational Workshop held at the University of Melbourne, August 1991. Melbourne : Centre for the Study of Higher Education, University of Melbourne.
22.
Lindsay, A. (1992) Concepts of quality in higher education. Journal of Tertiary Education Administration, 14(2): 153-63.
23.
McGrath-Champ, S. and Baird, M. (1995) Teaching Hrm: Practise what we preach? Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 33(3): 60-75.
24.
Millers Younger, S. (1993) Finding time for TQM training. Training and Development, February: 11-15.
25.
Mills, R. (1991) An ATO view of quality in distance education. In R. Atkinson, C. McBeath and D. Meacham (eds), Quality in distance education ASPESA Forum 91. Bathurst , NSW: Australian and South Pacific External Studies Association.
26.
Montague, A. (1993) Implementing quality assurance in the TAFE sector . Conference proceedings. Sydney : Australasian Association for Institutional Research .
27.
Nankervis, A.R. (1991) Human resource management education: Skill training or preparation for life. Asia Pacific Human Resource Management , 29(3): 41-48.
28.
Norris, K. (1993) The Economics of Australian labour markets. Melbourne: Longman Cheshire.
29.
Nunally, J.C. (1967) Psychometric theory. New York : McGraw-Hill.
30.
Nunan, T. (1993) The quality of distance education: What does it mean and how can it be judged? In T. Nunan (ed.), Distance education futures. Adelaide: Australian and South Pacific External Studies Association, University of South Australia.
31.
Nunan, T. (1991) University academics' perceptions of quality in distance education. In R. Atkinson, C. McBeath and D. Meacham (eds), Quality in distance education ASPESA Forum 91. Bathurst, NSW: Australian and South Pacific External Studies Association.
32.
Nunan, T. and Calvert, J. (1992) Report of the project to investigate quality and standards in distance education. Adelaide: Distance Education Centre, University of South Australia.
33.
Onyx, J. (1992) Designing a course for adult learners: A question of access. Quality of teacbing matters at UTS. Sydney: Centre for Teaching and Learning, University of Technology.
34.
Scriven, B. (1991) Perceptions of quality in distance education. In R. Atkinson, C. McBeath and D. Meacham (eds), Quality in distance education ASPESA Forum 91. Bathurst , NSW: Australian and South Pacific External Studies Association.
35.
Simpson, O. (1993) Quality in distance learning support—some questions, a few points, no answers!Open Learning, June: 61-3.
36.
Smith, A. (1993) Australian training and development in 1992. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, 31(2): 65-74.
37.
Stammers, R. and Patrick, J. (1975) The psychology of training. London: Methuen and Co.
