HRD and Learning Organisations in Europe (Routledge Studies in Human Resource Development)

'Lifelong learning' is moving from buzzword to reality for ever latger numbers of workers. Firms increasingly need their workers to be active, self-directed learners who contribute to innovations and improvements of processes, products and services. Companies that explicitly encourage and support worker learning, from a strategic perspective, are called 'learning organisations'. This book is the result of an European study into the changing views and practices of professionals in the field of Human Resource Development within such organisations. Focusing on Europe, the book contains authors and research from Finland, the UK, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, France and Italy. Theoretical explorations of the learning organisation and the changing face of HRD complement nearly thirty case studies of HRD functions. This book will be essential reading for both academics and professionals in the fields of HRD and lifelong learning.