Technology advancement and the future of HRD research

摘要

The effects Internet Technologies (IT) have on our society are pervasive and the impact is complex and far-reaching. Amazon has changed the way we purchase products, Facebook has changed the way we communicate with others, learning technology has revolutionized the way we learn and digital devices have infiltrated the workplace and transformed the way work is done. Technology has long been the driver of organizational changes, human resource development (HRD) included. The result of commensurate innovations of IT has generated innovative work practices, such as telecommuting, virtual teams and cloud-based work systems. These practices have enabled companies to hire skilled and talented employees across geographical locations. How to effectively manage, evaluate and develop an increasingly diverse and disperse employee population present new challenges to HRD professionals, especially in international settings.