Abstract:

Continuous learning and development are central factors on the contemporary paradigm of organizations, societies and individuals. It is in this context that Human Resource Development (HRD) emerges as a professional and scientific field progressively stronger and more autonomous among the Human Resources’ domain.

It is facing this framework that, with this paper, we aim to understand the contemporary conceptualization of HRD, exploring its main approaches, dimensions and associated issues. It is with this goal that we developed three different studies. The first study consists on a systematic revision of literature, aiming to understand the conceptual scientific construction on HRD. A second study, which analyzes HRD professional associations with the intent of acquiring a more professionalizing perspective of the reality of HRD worldwide. The third study consists on a questionnaire to HRD professionals with the purpose of approaching the professional reality of HRD.

The research revealed that HRD is a process directly connected to the human potential available in a determined society or organization. It aims to contribute to the acquisition and continuously improvement of individuals’ occupational skills, and consequently to societies and organizations, enabling them to take a better benefit from their human capital. For this motive, the development of HRD strategies points out to be fundamental towards the alignment of society, organizations, and people, as the primer labor force element.

The most highlighted dimensions associated with HRD are the socio-economic context (reporting to the questions of qualification and labor market), the organizational context (associated to the several activities of learning and continuous improvement), and the individual development (related to the management of one´s individual career). In all the approaches, HRD emerges as a reinforcement process of the intern skills of societies and organizations in order to deal with current and future challenges.

Keywords:

Human Resources Development, Continuous Learning, Social-economic Development, Organizational Development.