Foundations of Human Resource Development

In Foundations of Human Resouce Development, Richard Swanson and Edward Holton provide an up-to-date overview of the HRD profession as well as the terminology and processes required for sound HRD research and practice. Swanson and Holton’s work is supplemented with contributions from Alexandre Ardichvili, Theo J. Bastiaens, Thomas J. Chermack, Richard W. Herling, K. Peter Kuchinke, Sharon S. Naquin, Wendy E. A. Ruona, Richard J. Torraco, Greg G. Wang, and Karen E. Watkins.

The book provides a basic understanding of the HRD models, processes, and history; critical theoretical and philosophical foundations of the field; learning and performance paradigms and models; HRD’s role in high-level organizational and systems-level issues; training and development and organization development—including examples of best practices along with variations in core thinking, processes, interventions, and tools; and much more.

The first edition won the Book of the Year Award from the prestigious Academy of Human Resource Development. This second edition has been completely revised, updated, and expanded, with new chapters on component HRD theories, policy and planning, technology, and globalization, as well as supplemental study materials, PowerPoint presentations, and figures available online at www.textbookresources.net.

Richard A. Swanson is Distinguished Research Professor of Human Resource Development in the College of Business and Technology at the University of Texas at Tyler and Professor Emeritus at the University of Minnesota. He is the author of many research articles and numerous award-winning books, including Analysis for Improving Performance.

Elwood F. Holton III is Professor of Human Resource and Leadership Development at Louisiana State University. He is the author of many research articles and numerous award-winning books, including Research in Organizations.