The Future of Human Resource Development: Shaping National Human Resource Development Policies in the Global Context

Nations and organizations are becoming increasingly dependent on each other in the pursuit for global peace, eradication of poverty, environmental sustainability, and a healthy and meaningful work-life balance. Thus, human resource development (HRD) professionals, who are already prepared and equipped to foster environments for learning and change at the individual, team and organizational levels will have to increase their involvement at the societal level and play a strategic role in the development of innovative national human resource development systems that are appropriate for the global context. The purpose of this conceptual paper is to discuss the innovative capacities of nations based on their Global Innovation Index (INSEAD, 2011) and to review the national workforce development policies, including sourcing, developing talent and retaining global talent, of countries that have ranked high on the global innovation index (including BRIC). The paper concludes with recommendations for HRD research, practice and education as it relates to national human resource development (NHRD).