Hrd in Global Perspective

ARTICLE

Origins and Historical Influences on Human Resource Development: A Global Perspective
MEERA ALAGARAJA LARRY M. DOOLEY Texas A&M University
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 nonWestern perspectives. Keywords: origins and historical influences; global perspectives; foundations of human resource development

Problem Statement
As with the debate surrounding the definitions for human resource development (HRD) (McLean & McLean, 2001; Weinberger, 1998), the historical timeline for HRD means different things to different people. The concept and ways of defining it has been a source of challenge to all associated with the field. The challenging nature of the concept of HRD is reflected by the way it seeks to describe the scope and meaning as well as framework to organize multiple contributions to HRD theory and practice (Swanson & Holton,
The authors gratefully acknowledge the helpful feedback of Susan A. Lynham, Texas A&M University, on previous versions of this article, which

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