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The philosophy and practice of training and development: the case of the J ordanian electricity sector
Author(s) -
Ensour Waed Abdel Razzaq,
Kharabsheh Radwan Alyan
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
international journal of training and development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.558
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 1468-2419
pISSN - 1360-3736
DOI - 10.1111/ijtd.12053
Subject(s) - perspective (graphical) , perception , argument (complex analysis) , electricity , sociology , epistemology , philosophy , computer science , engineering , biochemistry , chemistry , artificial intelligence , electrical engineering
This study aimed to gain an understanding of training and development ( T&D ) as a philosophy and practice in J ordanian electricity companies and to explore factors that shape T&D . Data were gathered through in‐depth interviews, observation and document analysis. Results indicate that T&D was interpreted in terms of learning, was development focused and emphasized a utilitarian outlook. The T&D role was perceived as being ‘instrumental’, showing an inclination towards a functionalist philosophical perspective. T&D activities were found to have a reactive role, designed to meet particular or short‐term needs. Findings support the general argument proposed in the human resource development literature about the role of T&D philosophy in guiding actions, but also indicate that the way of thinking about T&D is shaped through the prism of ‘situation needs’ and T&D ‘utility’. Furthermore, this study argues that the perceptions, understanding and application of T&D are shaped in the crucible of industry and organizational internal specification.