A unifying definition for the human resource development profession

Abstract

Abstract The human resource development field has long been struggling to develop an identity as a profession, especially in terms of its applied and interdisciplinary nature. One of the more debated issues in the field has been the need for a unifying definition that would not only provide a focus for the development of the profession but would also set limits on the boundaries of the field. This article presents a justification for a unifying definition, a history of the existing definitions of HRD, and several common themes or patterns found in these definitions and other literature in the field. The author proposes a unifying definition that would provide a vision for the profession and identifies several “next steps” that the field should consider in its quest for professional recognition and growth.

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