Developing Human Resources In Southeast Asia

This book provides readers with a comprehensive introduction to human resource development (HRD) in Southeast Asia and offers a holistic framework for the phenomenon of Regional HRD in Southeast Asia. It argues that viewing HRD in ASEAN as a complex adaptive system is the most effective way to understand the expansive and multifarious processes and activities involved in Regional HRD. As a region, Southeast Asia continues to emerge as one of the most dynamic and compelling in the world with a need to develop its human resources to further its independence, economic prosperity, and sovereignty. By focusing on a regional perspective of HRD, this book establishes the missing link in the transition from the national HRD to the global HRD perspective. Offering a framework for understanding how HRD policy and practice function within a dynamic ecosystem, this book appeals to scholars, practitioners, and policymakers alike, particularly those interested in ASEAN.

Human capital is an important factor for economic growth in South Asia. Between 1981 and 2010, human capital contributed about 22% of annual gross domestic product per worker growth in India. During the same period, it contributed around 21% in Bangladesh, and 16% in Sri Lanka. However, education and skills remain the binding constraint. Raising the quality of education and skills in South Asia's workforce can play a critical role in catching up to the level of development of the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, and other successful Southeast Asian economies. This study reviews the development of human capital in South Asia and analyzes contributing factors to human development including policies and strategies that countries in South Asia follow.

Despite recent high GDP growth rates, Vietnam remains a developing country in need of developing human resources (HR) of both genders. This can be done through education, workplace training, corporate social responsibility, policies for gender equality, support for entrepreneurship, and other practices and policies. Yet, national human resource development (NHRD) is a relatively new concept in Vietnam. This edited volume highlights the importance of HR, HRD, and NHRD, enabling Vietnam to experience sustainable growth and become a modern industrial country. It examines the positive changes effected by HRD considering Vietnam’s unique historical, political, economic, and cultural contexts. This book offers scholars and practitioners an indigenous HRD approach and discusses implications for future research and practices.

Most southeast Asian countries have until recently had a long period of rapid and reasonably equitable growth. This remarkable performace was achieved largely because sound policies were implemented effectively by capable institutions with competent staff. This is especially true in key policy areas such as macroeconomic management, product transformations, trade and investment promotion, and infrastructure development. Many developing economies in Asia and the Pacific, including the new and potentially new members of ASEAN, namely Camodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar and Viet Nam, which are facing enormous challenges resulting from domestic economic reforms and exposure to the international economy, could benefit from the experiences of institution and human resource capacity building in older ASEAN countries. This publication contains an overview and four country studies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand.

The competitive edge and creativity which globalization demands of corporations and states alike requires fresh management methods. There is growing awareness that unlocking human potential is a key to sustaining growth. However, hierarchical management structures, which reward adherence to outdated thinking and hamper creative and energetic citizens and employees, are still widespread in government and private sectors in Southeast Asia. The articles on Human Resource Development (HRD) in this volume span and link the concerns of states and business. The first section contains advice on HRD for government leaders and policymakers. The second considers HRD in the corporate sector, with analysis and advice on strategic HRD, developing competence, and corporate case studies.HRD for Developing States and Companies is intended to be an inspirational and practical guide for change and will be useful for statesmen, policymakers, businesspersons and students of management.

The experience of the Asia-Pacific Rim is crucial in testing new growth theories which emphasize human resources, for example, investments in education and health care. Using the best methodology and data available, this book addresses a wide range of issues, including the demographicfoundations for human resource development, the role of women, the rapid expansion of educational systems, and the implications of evolution towards ageing societies.

This text combines insights from the old world of Western Europe and the new world of Southeast Asia. It brings together theories and conceptual approaches which are extensively used in the Anglo-American literature on human resource management and the practices currently found in Southeast Asia. Although the book is directed mainly at those living and working in Southeast Asia, it would be of interest to scholars and practitioners elsewhere who are keen to learn more about the ways of working in the rapidly growing economics in the region.