Handbook of Human Resource Development

Critical HRD

Sally Anne Sambrook

INTRODUCTION

In this chapter, I consider various dimensions of critical human resource development (CHRD). Although these are presented separately, I suggest they are interrelated and weave together to form a holistic appreciation of the complexity of this approach to HRD. First, I review definitions of critical HRD to attempt to establish just what it might mean, as a concept. Second, I examine why critical HRD has emerged and why it might be a critical time for HRD, both for the field of study itself and for its wider global organizational and national consequences. Third, and related to why, I investigate