A comparison of HRD in France and the UK.

The article reports on a study that examines the French and British traditions of management training and education. It also highlights the traditions shaped organizational approaches to human resource development (HRD). In increasingly competitive environments organizations are turning to their people as a means of creating or sustaining competitive advantage. This trend is placing a greater focus on the role of HRD within organizations. In addition, the increasing internationalization of markets has meant organizations are no longer operating within the confines of one national context. There is a large body of evidence that suggests that organizational differences in human resource practices, including training and development, are related to variations in national legislation and cultural frameworks of a country. The article concludes that Concludes that French and British organizations focus differently on training and development. States that these are clearly a reflection of the legislative and cultural environment in which the organization is operating.