Professor & EAHR Interim Department Head Texas A&M University
Abstract: Several authors have attempted to investigate the definition, background, components, and applications of Human Resources Development (HRD). Swanson and Holton (2009) define HRD as a process, system, and journey. Adding to this, McGuire (2014) suggested that “despite numerous attempts to define the field of HRD, consensus does not yet exist on a specific definition for what HRD is and includes” (p. 5). A new meaning of HRD was described by Wang et al. (2017) as “mechanism in shaping individual and group values and beliefs skilling through learning-related activities to support the desired performance of the host system” (p. 1175). Among these definitions, the market for organizational studies has divided HRD into two principal perspectives: European (UK), which has considered closer alignment with human resource management programs since it is related to business schools, and North American (U.S.), where the field is closer to adult education (Wasti et al., 2008; Woodall, 2003). It is important to note, however, that there are multiple perspectives to consider globally when reviewing the field of HRD, as the U.S. and Europe alone do not represent the entire field of HRD (McLean & McLean, 2001). Thus, reviewing and analyzing definitions by considering other countries is essential to contribute for HRD international discussion. Brazil is a developing country that has distinguished its active global role in recent years, with a rich environment, prominent in agribusiness, and an industrial park with great potential, formed by a diverse and creative society. (Hasler et al., 2006; Menezes &Vieira, 2021). Although the Brazilian economy contracted between 2020-2022, it is still the thirteenth largest country in the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product (World Economic Outlook Update, July 2022, n.d.). Additionally, Brazil is a part of the BRICS, a trans-regional group of rising, exclusively non-western powers: Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa which constructed a consortium to tackle HRD issues and enhance their quality of life by addressing issues such as health, safety, widespread hunger, gender inequality and more (Kirton & Larionova, 2022; Kolachi & Shah, 2013). Consequently, researchers have given attention in recent years to HRD’s future in BRICS countries since these nations built a global partnership for long-term development and sustainability. In attempting to explore HRD in Brazil, we purpose a scoping review to create more discussion about concepts and applications of HRD in Brazilian society, and how it relates to international HRD. The main research question guiding this study is, what Brazilian conceptualizations of HRD are presented by Brazilian literature? It is essential to emphasize the lack of information in international literature when addressing how HRD is defined in Brazil. The search was conducted by examining seven databases in the U.S during November and December 2021 and August 2022. Other studies in HRD reported issues finding articles in the English language (Azevedo, 2013; Dirani & Nafukho, 2018; Hasler et al., 2004). As a result, two Brazilian databases were included. The combinations of the keywords approach in Table 1.
Table 1 Combinations of keywords and phrases terms Keyword Full Search Term/Phrase Terms human resource or human resource management or human resource development or national hrd AB (human resource or human resource management or human resource development or national hrd) AND AB defin* AND (brazil or brasil or brazilian or brasilian. recursos humanos or gestão de pessoas "human resource" Brazil and Latin America human resources or people management AND followed by “definição” (definition). recursos humanos or gestão de pessoas.“gestão de pessoas” or “gestão de pessoas” e “comportamento organizacional”
Utilizing the search methods summarized above, a total of 232 studies were imported for screening in the Covidence, a systematic review management. Nineteen duplicates were removed, 213 studies were screened in the title and abstract, 190 studies were irrelevant, 23 full text studies were assessed for eligibility, and 17 studied were fully reviewed. The first set of analyses revealed that the Brazilian academic literature in the area of Human Resources Development is recent, starting from the 1980s. Over the last few decades studies developed by Brazilian HRD scholars such as José Tonelli et. al (2003), Weber et. al (2012), Mascarenhas and Barbosa (2013) have attempted to discuss the concepts, history, and results. It is important to point out that HRD in Brazil is related to business school. These factors are reflected in the conceptualization of HRD presented in Brazilian literature. This literature review is a work in progress, more findings will be reported when the research is complete. Keywords: HRD concepts, applications, Brazil
