Larry M. Dooley

Case Study Research and Theory Building

The problem and the solution. This chapter overviews case study research and proposes a manner in which case study research can contribute to theory building in applied disciplines. Although theory building using case study research has been discussed previously in the literature, there is no clarity as to how case study research can be used to build theory. Moreover, it should not be assumed that there is clarity on the processes of case writing, case studies, or case study research. This chapter presents definitions, purposes, and elements of case study research for the purpose of understanding how case study research can be used to build theory in applied disciplines.

Using Scenarios to Develop Crisis Managers: Applications of Scenario Planning and Scenario-Based Training

The problem and the solution. Since the events of September 11, 2001, and Hurricane Katrina during the summer of 2005, the words crisis and disaster evoke images of families stranded on causeways turned islands, surrounded by what little property they could carry; houses smashed by killing winds; and skyscrapers crumbling out of the sky. Disastrous events, such as fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, terrorist incidents, and chemical spills, cause the loss of resources, destruction of property, financial hardship, and death. During these events, local, state, and federal governments commit large numbers of resources, time, and money to mitigate the consequences of the disaster.To manage the response to these events, leaders of public safety organizations and agencies such as fire and police departments, emergency medical services, and health-care organizations, public works departments, private industry, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) descend on the disaster site.These leaders are required to make high consequence decisions with incomplete or inaccurate information, ill-defined goals, and the pressures of time and a constantly changing situation by drawing on their training and experience. This article positions scenario planning and scenario-based training as two cutting-edge methods for organizational leaders to understand better their environments so as to avoid disastrous events and to put in place efficient and effective plans for coping if disaster should strike.

Behaviorally anchored competencies: evaluation tool for training via distance

The purpose of the study was to evaluate and measure perceived learning in a training program delivered via distance education. The program was entitled: Course Design for the Digital Age: Instructional Design and Materials Conversion. The study documents the growth in distance education core competencies of professionals in Costa Rica using a competency-based behaviorally anchored instrument. The study uses both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. The resulting scores provide outcome assessment measures useful for researchers and practitioners for documenting the results of self-assessment and comparing observable behaviors of competence.

Origins and Historical Influences on Human Resource Development: A Global Perspective

A comprehensive review of literature on the origins and historical influences on human resource development reveals that much of its development is attributed to Western (predominantly U.S.) thought and perspectives. This study is an effort to begin exploring significant contributions from a global perspective—including those that are primarily non-Western. To do so, this article identifies and examines key non-Western contributions to the field of human resource development. There is an ever-growing pool of foundational knowledge in the human resource development field. However, it appears only a modest body of literature has been written on historical influences from non-Western perspectives to the field. It is the premise of this article that inclusiveness of other cultural contributions will facilitate a greater understanding of human resource development’s development as a relatively new body of knowledge. This article is a reflective study outlining the history of human development of both Western and non-Western perspectives.

Planning Human Resource Development and Continuing Professional Education Programs That Use Educational Technologies: Voices That Must be Heard

The problem and the solution. Many human resource development and continuing professional education programs that use technology lack quality and are not fully implemented because development and delivery processes do not work well thereby alienating learners and/or faculty. Many others are implemented but not sustained, often because the program design is fundamentally unsustainable. One general way of describing the problem is to say that when planners design the program, processes, and business model, they often do not take into account the interests of all internal and external stakeholders. This article focuses on how planning models that foreground learning but neglect faculty, staff, and organizational interests undermine learning, because they undercut implementation and sustainability. Planning models that foreground and balance stakeholder interests support learning because they support implementation and sustainability.

Testing Issues in HRD Advertising and Other Public Statements

The Human Resource Development (HRD) department of an international energy company has introduced a new policy that grants the right of its employees to offer consulting services on their own time. This relationship can be fostered by client contacts of the company as long as the services being provided are not in conflict with the sales business of the company. The HRD department is a part of the overall Human Resources division of the company and includes delivering services in organizational development, training and development, and career development. This case focuses on the training and development division. An individual training function of the training and development division is management training and development. It is in this area that company employees have been given permission to outsource their services to companies and other entities.

Academic Business Affairs

Effective business operations in a university provide the means of ensuring order and economy in educational activities.