Problematizing HRD in SMEs: A “Critical” Exploration of Context, Informality, and Empirical Realities

Ciara T. Nolan, Thomas N. Garavan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) represent the backbone of the global economy and therefore are an integral part of the HRD research agenda. The HRD literature has predominantly focused on both large firms and formal practices, and as a consequence HRD in SMEs is considered deficient. In this article, we question these assumptions by invoking Mingers’ (2000) “four aspects of being critical” framework. We argue that the current knowledge base is flawed as research has not moved beyond the deficiency model to explore, accommodate, and explain HRD in the SME setting. The role of SME context and informality is insufficiently conceptualized in the literature. We make theoretical and methodological recommendations to advance HRD research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)407-442
Number of pages36
JournalHuman Resource Development Quarterly
Volume27
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Sep 2016

Keywords

  • context
  • critical human resource development
  • HRD
  • informality
  • SMEs

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