Human Resource Development Measurement and Evaluation: Looking Back and Moving Forward

Abstract

The problem and the solution. During the past half-century, we have witnessed the initiation and flourishing of measurement and evaluation (M&E) in human resource development (HRD). Today, there appear to be more questions than answers to the challenges and opportunities concerning M&E in the field of HRD. The M&E research and practice is at a crossroads. In this article, the authors delineate M&E development into three stages, discuss the relative features in each stage, and propose an integrated approach for researchers and practitioners working together to further advance M&E in HRD. To this end, this issue is dedicated to addressing a gap in the HRD M&E literature by presenting a set of theories, models, and practical approaches as a starting point of the third stage of M&E development for HRD research and practices.