Why is it important for an HR manager to understand different learning theories, and how can this knowledge be applied to the promotion of learning in an organization?

The HR Manager

I . Introduction

In this country , and even in the rest of the world , the practice of Human Resources Management is rapidly evolving to assume a more pervasive role in the society . We are in the era of organizational revolution . Out time is marked with rapid shifts in the demography of our workforce , changing corporate culture , and changing organizations Organizational forms have become more complex and new forms have been developed (Block , 1981 . The management of people has never been as important and crucial than ever before . Today , it

is considered a central figure and the key to productivity and quality especially in a very competitive society

II . The Need

In the light of the rapid shift in today 's organization , the skills required of human resource managers , beginners in the profession and even aspiring students in the discipline , rest on the foundation of knowledge on the whole gamut of human resources management , specifically management theories applied in our setting (Kline Saunders , 1993

The need for a more efficient , economical and equitable management of the human resources in business industry has never been as pronounced as it is today . This need has never been brought about by factors which inevitably affect not only the established structures and ways of doing things within the personnel area but also by the more meaningful and substantial task of managing the organization 's most important asset - the human resource . Among these factors are : stiffer competition in business rapid changes in technological , competitive and economic environments the explosion of technical and managerial knowledge spiraling wage and benefits cost and so many others . These factors have no doubt been responsible for the emergence of the personnel function as a vital area in the implementation of corporate strategy (Bruffee 1993

The influence of behavioral science has resulted in a humanistic orientation for personnel management that is geared toward attainment of organizational objectives . Traditional functions in personnel such as hiring , wage and benefits administration and record keeping are still being performed . However , the scope of personnel management has been expanded to include strategic concerns such as , among others , career planning , organizational development and community relations . This linking of personnel management with the process of achieving the organization 's strategic goal defines the qualitative leap into human resource management (Demick , 1993

III . Defining our terminology

What are learning theories and what are the implications of these to the matter at hand ? How do we know that these are in operation ? What activities should be secured in an organization that will encourage the knowledge of these theories ? As we were just pondering on the grave need for the upliftment and maximum utilization of our workforce by addressing several factors inherent in the profession , we want to first look into these learning theories and analyze about their contribution to a difficult year

Atkinson (1993 ) best summarizes what learning theories assume

Learning pervades our lives . It is involved not only in mastering a new skill

or academic subject but also...