21st Century HRD Issues - Challenges for the Future

Abstract

Organization cannot service beyond a point unless they are continuously alert to the changing environment and continuously prepare their employees to meet the challenges and have an impact on the environment. Thus HRD is an essential process for organization survival and growth. An optimal level of "Developmental Climate" is essential for facilitating HRD. In much of Indian industry, the work ethos today is a hangover of our colonial Past. It is estimated that, on an average, as much as 30 to 40% of a manager's time is spent on resolving IR related issues which results in go-slow, strikes, lock-outs. Fortunately, there is a growing awareness in Indian industry of the importance of human resources development. As the term suggests, the focus should be on development rather than control. The development, in turn, must take the form of an integrated approach and not merely look at any single facet out of context. An effective HRD system is perhaps the most important element in organizational effectiveness which not only ensures present performance but also long term survival and growth of the organization. In this paper the attempt has been made to focus on issues and challenges which will be faced by the HRD managers in 21st century along with the learning systems that the HRD manager should establish and monitor for the betterment of the employees.