Developmental relationships constitute interdependent, generative connections that promote growth and learning among individuals. While studies reporting the impact of developmental relationships on learning, performance, and career development leaves no doubt about its relevance to the human resource development (HRD) field, we lack an in-depth understanding of how developmental relationships apply to the myriad of topics relevant to contemporary HRD research and practice such as social justice, diversity and equity, leadership development, career transitions, knowledge sharing, organization development, employee engagement, organizational learning culture, globalization, national HRD, and technology at work. This book presents a comprehensive collection of evidence-based studies and conceptual articles that explore how developmental relationships that are cultivated within and outside of the workplace apply to those clusters of topics in HRD. Organized around six themes, the chapters examine topics such as knowledge management, critical perspectives on gender, diversity, and equity, building a learning organization, talent development, and emotional closeness in the context of virtual workplaces. In doing so, the book highlight how research on developmental relationships can be the underlying thread connecting the otherwise disconnected varied topical foci of HRD research and practice, thus broadening our understanding of the relevance of developmental relationships within the HRD field. This volume advances HRD scholarship and will appeal to researchers interested in exploring the nature and benefits of developmental relationships including mentoring and coaching.

A penetrating analysis of the changing and interacting worlds of work and family life in the U.S. military, this volume extends the concept of the organization man to focus on the organization family. Based on the most recent literature and research on work and family dynamics in the military services today, the contributors examine such issues as the special problems of dual career couples and single parents, the challenge of rebuilding military communities, and the influence of family factors on the workplace. Taken together, their essays advance our understanding of the nature and dynamics of the work/family interface. This work also presents some significant policy implications for military leadership and family life professionals interested in forging a more productive partnership between the military organization and the military family. The book is divided into three major sections, each of which addresses a key aspect of work and family life: work and family linkages, the problems of special population groups, and the organizational response to family-level issues in the workplace. Each chapter provides a theoretical and/or historical perspective on the topic under study as well as presenting the latest empirical research in the area. Throughout, the contributors draw relevant comparisons between the military and civilian employment sectors, making the book invaluable for advanced students of military and family sociology, contemporary family patterns and issues, and public policy.

The contributions in Creating Healthy Workplaces include a number of interventions that relate the efforts undertaken by researchers and organizations together, to reduce stress and improve the mental and physical health of employees through positive change initiatives. Those working in the field of occupational stress have received criticism that too much emphasis has been placed on negative issues and that positive initiatives have been largely ignored. With the growing influence of the positive movement, this book explores the implications of using a positive approach as opposed to a stress management one and compares the types of interventions they each require. From a positive perspective, there is a need to understand the characteristics of healthy, thriving, and flourishing people and organizations. This book explores the implications of using a positive approach as opposed to a stress management one. Some of the interventions described in Creating Healthy Workplaces target individuals and their attitudes and behaviours, others target workplace relationships, work units and the wider organization. Outcomes such as reduced occurrences of smoking, obesity, depression, elevated blood pressure, accidents and workplace injuries, presenteeism, absence and staff turnover are reported. The factors associated with the success of these interventions are identified and advice is given as to how interested individuals and organizations might proceed to develop worksite interventions on their own.

This compelling volume presents the work of innovative researchers dealing with current issues in training and training effectiveness in work organizations. Each chapter provides an integrative summary of a research area with the goal of developing a specific research agenda that will not only stimulate thinking in the training field but also direct future research. By concentrating on new ideas and critical methodological and measurement issues rather than summarizing existing literature, the volume offers definitive suggestions for advancing the effectiveness of the training field. Its chapters focus on emerging issues in training that have important implications for improving both training design and efficacy. They discuss various levels of analysis-- intra-individual, inter-individual, team, and organizational issues--and the factors relevant to achieving a better understanding of training effectiveness from these different perspectives. This type of coverage provides a theoretically driven scientist/practitioner orientation to the book.

The contributions in Creating Healthy Workplaces include a number of interventions that relate the efforts undertaken by researchers and organizations together, to reduce stress and improve the mental and physical health of employees through positive change initiatives. Those working in the field of occupational stress have received criticism that too much emphasis has been placed on negative issues and that positive initiatives have been largely ignored. With the growing influence of the positive movement, this book explores the implications of using a positive approach as opposed to a stress management one and compares the types of interventions they each require. From a positive perspective, there is a need to understand the characteristics of healthy, thriving, and flourishing people and organizations. This book explores the implications of using a positive approach as opposed to a stress management one. Some of the interventions described in Creating Healthy Workplaces target individuals and their attitudes and behaviours, others target workplace relationships, work units and the wider organization. Outcomes such as reduced occurrences of smoking, obesity, depression, elevated blood pressure, accidents and workplace injuries, presenteeism, absence and staff turnover are reported. The factors associated with the success of these interventions are identified and advice is given as to how interested individuals and organizations might proceed to develop worksite interventions on their own.