ABSTRACT

To the casual observer, little seems to distinguish the terms human resource management and human resource development. For many workers, both may be subsumed within their understanding of “HR,” that is, the place in their organization that specifically deals with “people stuff.” This “stuff ” might include proper forms and legal documents signed at the start of a new job, the orientation program on the first day of work, registration for a training program, making sure that pay and benefit issues are handled properly, or conducting the organization’s holiday party. Within academic circles, however, many have attempted to distinguish these terms, as well as to point out areas of overlap (e.g. Chalofsky 2007, Hamlin and Stewart 2011, Ruona and Gibson 2004, Swanson and Holton 2009, Thurston et al. 2012). An uneasy tension seems to exist between the two fields. For example, most HRM scholars would consider the Academy of Management (and the HR Division within it) to be their primary professional association. The majority of HRD scholars, on the other hand, look first to the Academy of Human Resource Development, though they may also be involved with the larger, and more diverse conferences held by other organizations.