Chapter 2 Homework Assignment

1. What do you think is the most important organizational characteristic that influences training? Why?

The most important organizational characteristic that influences training is staff involvement in training and development. If employees are allowed to be a part of the design process for a training program then they are more likely to become active in the program. Also, allowing your employees to be involved in the training and development process will allow the company to better assess needs.

2. What is human capital? How is human capital influencing the changing role of training from skill and knowledge acquisition to creating and sharing knowledge?

Human capital is a persons' knowledge, skill, understanding and creativity. Human capital is influencing role knowledge because it seems the knowledge that employees gain from years of personal experience is becoming more valuable than what a training program can offer. For instance, a training program cannot explain to you how to interact with a different department in your company, however a veteran employee maybe able to explain ways in which to communicate that will be effective.

3. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a centralized training function?

The advantages of a centralized training function would be that all of your programs, resources, and investments are centralized in one location. This would reduce the amount of various programs being duplicated over vast geographical areas. It also allows companies to train managers at one time as changes come along. The disadvantage to centralized training is that it would be impossible to assess the needs of all the locations and integrate it so that everyone will benefit from the training program.