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HR policies and practices in vocational education and training institutions: understanding the implementation gap through the lens of discourses

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: Vocational education and training (VET) institutions face serious challenges, like educational innovations and upcoming teacher shortages, which require them to invest in their human capital. However, the implementation of human resources (HR) policies and practices often stagnates. Using the Dutch VET sector as an exemplary case, we show that the implementation gap can be understood by employing a discourse perspective. The distinction between a control vs. a commitment approach to HR served as a lens through which we analysed how actors at state and school level perceived the goals, necessity and features of HR policy. The results reveal no contradictions between actors concerning the goal of HR. Contradictions are, however, found related to the way in which HR should be shaped and implemented. Teachers and managers think governments’ view about HR is too much control oriented and that commitment strategies have to be added for HR to be effective.

Source: Human Resource Development International

DOI: 10.1080/13678868.2012.710108

Authors: Piety Runhaar, Hens Runhaar

Institutions: Wageningen University & Research, Utrecht University

Language: English

Topic: Education Systems and Policy

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: green

Funders: Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Division of Human Resource Development