The Emerging Corporate University System

Human Development In The Workplace

Historically, companies use broader approaches to do the job of training and developing the workforce they have. One approach which is considered the principal one and commonly practiced by almost all organizations—let alone business organizations- is the provision of in-company training and development programs to its employees by the company. These trainings and skill development programs to a greater extent include courses of specialization, operation management and general management. Given the different needs of different trainees and work dynamics inside the company, these courses are prepared and offered in different formats (i.e., workshops, meetings, lectures, demonstrations, field visits etc.). Generally, such training programs are designed and imparted by each department or by the training department or human resource management department of the company. In some cases, depending on the type and nature of a specific training and development program, companies outsource trainers or consultants from other organizations (business to business training and development). In other cases, companies hire trainers and consultants from the traditional universities provided that most of the universities and business schools offer continuing education programs (short and long courses) to their corporate clients. These corporate training programs also include financing employees especially, junior managers, middle managers and top managers to obtain university diplomas and degrees. Companies sometimes hire university services (trainers) to train their workers in certain specific fields which are generally called “in-company” training provided by the universities. There are several purposes behind such training and development programs. For example, a company wants to:

• •

  Improve the existing knowledge and skills of the employees.

• •

  Teach employees new knowledge and skills relating to their job.

• •

  Teach employee social skills such as communication, decision-making, team-work, and work ethics.

• •

  Improve employee managerial knowledge and skills.

• •

  Make them aware of the new trends and tendencies in the market and societies.

• •

  Prepare employees for new managerial jobs in the future.

Moreover, on the awe of booming global knowledge society and learning organizations, business corporations are looking for ways to remain ahead of the competing forces in the industry. Today more than ever, knowledge and the application of knowledge is the most crucial asset an organization can have and business organizations feel the need for a new strategic approach to organizational learning and growth (Jansink, Kwakman & Streumer, 2005). Consequently, the rapid rise of corporate university education model is a clear indication of how business organizations are trying to address this need (Vossen & Jaeshke, 2002) of in-house knowledge acquisition and management. As the value of the corporate universities is obvious for the parent corporations and that the strategic relevance of knowledge increases, the development of a corporate university receives more and more priority in companies (Rademakers, 2001).