In this article, innovative activity is considered in the light of broader conceptualisations of innovativeness and what it means to be innovative. Central to the definition of innovativeness used in the analysis is that the worker actively seeks new knowledge and uses it for work-related tasks. This is based on previous research emphasising…

In this paper, the authors first discuss the Neumark and Troske piece, and then compare the U.S. context to that in Europe and Korea, as described by the Caspar, Hartwig, and Moench and the Cho and Shin contributions. Although they are in basic agreement with Neumark and Troske on the extent and depth of the current employment situation, they…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to offer a comparison of how human expertise is perceived by human resource development (HRD) scholars across several Western European countries and in the USA. Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative, exploratory approach using electronic mail was used for this study. In total, 36 leading HRD scholars from…

Purpose: Though the notion of competence is common terminology in European VET policy at national and supra-national level, understandings vary widely, both across countries and within. The particular conceptions of competence adopted in the EQF are themselves problematic and the framework allows for a variety of interpretations. The purpose of…

In this era of global competition, human resources will play a decisive role in the battle for efficiency and competitive advantage, where nations and organisations with superior and quality-oriented human capital will soon outperform those with inefficient and quantity-oriented labour force. Rate of human capital formation will be more important…

This document contains four symposium papers on work force development. "Effects of Two Different Learning Paths on School-to-Work Transition" (Esther Van Der Schoot) discusses a Dutch study documenting that the following items make a difference in the school-to-work transition: learning path, curriculum characteristics, individual…

This overview of vocational education and training in Europe gives (1) detailed descriptions of the educational systems of Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Holland, Sweden, and Switzerland; (2) discussion of European Community projects; (3) 50 references; (4) addresses of information sources; and (5) a glossary in English, Danish, German,…

This document summarizes the information contained in the reports prepared by a number of regions to contribute to a discussion of a forum of European regions examining the place of vocational training in regional development strategies. Information on the place and role of vocational training in their economic development strategies is provided…

Examines relationship between overeducation and enterprise-related schooling, using data from a 1983 Dutch study of 43-year-old employees. Correctly allocated workers have the highest probability of participation in enterprise-related schooling, whereas undereducated workers have the lowest probability. The average rate of return on a year of…

By the year 2025, 38 percent of the population of the Netherlands is projected to be aged 55 and over. Only 40 percent of the group aged 55-64 was working in 1985, and only 2.3 percent of the people aged 65 and over was working--the smallest number among industrialized countries. This development was mainly due to early retirement schemes and…

The labor market in the Netherlands is characterized by rapid economic and technological development. In response to this, a new approach to career development has been to expand individuals' career competencies. Education, employment policy, non-profit organizations, and corporate life are facing the task of developing career development services…

To identify problems regarding economic development, the Committee for Scientific and Technical Personnel conducted an educational and occupational survey of each member country of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The specific purpose of the surveys was to gather comparative data on the training and utilization of…

Eleven working papers are provided from a meeting to enable national training research and development organizations to present their current and future research and development priorities and exchange information and experience on projects of mutual concern. They cover a wide range of subjects in 11 of the 12 European Community Member States, but…

The program of Accelerated Vocational Training (AVT) for adults in France, Great Britain, The Netherlands, and Belgium, originally developed mainly in the basic manual crafts of building and metalwork, is now covering more occupations and is intended to develop trade skills to a level of qualification comparable, if not equivalent, to that which…

In the Netherlands, 15 to 17.5 percent of the working age population participated in further education and training for adults in 1985-88. Enterprises, state ministries, and private institutions supply adult education; enterprises, ministries, and sectoral institutions finance it. The Ministry of Education and Sciences provides basic education,…