Capacity Building for Societal Development

Abstract

The Problem.

Traditionally, the core of human resource development (HRD) has focused on corporate settings and emerged primarily in the United States.

The Solution.

As the concept has evolved and moved around the world in response to factors supporting globalization, and as academics and practitioners have argued about its definition, HRD has begun to be applied much more broadly, including with geographically dispersed communities and nations. This article presents case studies in which HRD principles and theories have been used for societal development—the general improvement of the welfare of people usually outside of the workplace, primarily in communities. At least one of the coauthors, and usually two or more, have been either involved in or reported on all of the cases included.

The Stakeholders.

It is critical for HRD academics and practitioners to understand this evolving, broad-based perspective of HRD and participate in its practice, theory development, and research.