Visioning the Future: Human Resource Management, Information Technology and Higher Education

• Author: Neville Ying
• Pages: 44-57

44 HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

Visioning the Future:

Human Resource Management,

Information Technology and Higher

Education

This chapter deals with a point of interface among human resource

management (HRM), technology and human resource development

(HRD). It places special emphasis on the impact of technological change on

higher education and points to some of the human resource management

strategies that may be applicable in the inescapable drive to transform the

delivery of higher education among small states such as those in the Caribbean.

The chapter begins by outlining the future trends that will significantly

influence management in general and human resource management in

particular. The fundamental premise is that these future trends provide the

context and framework for the planning, development and utilisation of

human resources. Secondly, I will outline some major strategies, which are

critical in effectively coping with the future. Three major sets of strategies

will be presented, namely strategic alliances, the use of teams and strategies to

enhance human performance. The third section extends the discussion of

partnerships by focusing on team-building as a particular strategy that

institutions of higher education may employ in coping with the challenges of

the new economy. The paper ends with brief concluding comments.



As a part of an interdependent global network, it is inevitable that visioning

for the Caribbean region will be influenced by global trends as well as emerging

trends in the region itself. As a start, it may be useful to consider two facts.

First, contrary to the economic theory of the past, it is now widely thought

that with advancing technology and the shifts to a service/knowledge economy,

size is no longer a source of competitive advantage. Secondly, pivotal changes

have been taking place in the American and international economies in

management and organisational functions and in the nature of work itself.

#