Reports the results of a qualitative study of success factors and barriers to the development of virtual knowledge-sharing communities of practice at Caterpillar Inc. Identified prerequisites for successful knowledge management through virtual communities of practice, as well as barriers to virtual community development, and discusses future…

Explores the "secret sauce" that makes the difference between experts and less successful personnel. Indicates that the successful use of this plan can improve planning time, training time, and task performance time. (Author/LRW)

Describes the Data Information Knowledge Wisdom (DIKW) model of cognitive processes that human performance technology professionals can use to structure performance improvement efforts within a knowledge-intensive workforce. Discusses knowledge management and presents a summary of relevant wisdom studies and how they can be used for developing and…

Discusses the relationship between human performance technology (HPT) and instructional systems design (ISD). Addresses the balance between the benefits of diversity versus focus in the field; key differences between HPT and ISD; and clarifying the distinction between scope of analysis and diagnosis versus the types of intervention to design and…

Examines focus groups from a performance technology perspective, describes the focus group process, and discusses uses and misuses. Suggests that due to the depth and accuracy of insights revealed, focus groups have potential to aid performance technologists in their analyses of performance deficiencies as well as their formative and summative…

Discusses a cognitive apprenticeship approach to teaching design that incorporates elements of modeling, coaching, reflection, articulation, and exploration. Use of the model in an instructional design course that moves novice designers along a continuum of expertise is described, and it is suggested that the model could be adapted for performance…

Reviews the traditional formative evaluation model used by instructional designers; summarizes Kirkpatrick's model of evaluation; proposes the integration of part of Kirkpatrick's model with traditional formative evaluation; and discusses performance-context formative evaluation. (three references) (LRW)

Describes a framework for designing an electronic performance support system (EPSS) that reduces the requirement for more traditional forms of training. An intervention summary table is provided that includes five types of interventions, user access, user type (expert and/or novice), purpose, and difficulty. (Author/LRW)

Examines how the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) selected, funded, developed, and implemented a distributed technical training system which achieves return on investment documented via performance measurement and follow-on evaluation. VBA proposed using the instructional systems development process, integrated with other advances in…

Examines the differences between traditional training and performance improvement. Highlights include the role change for human resources professionals from managing employee training to shaping strategic plans for the organization; incorporating a systems approach; engaging a task force; and enlisting top management support. (LRW)

The need is often not more resources, but the right resources, delivered when the user needs them. In today's knowledge economy, where job roles and requirements change frequently, resource delivery systems that allow customization of information, functions and contents by users are increasingly needed. Schatz discusses the inherent challenges of…

Results from the Tasmanian Successful School Principal Project (SSPP) survey concur with the four major leadership tensions and dilemmas identified in a background literature review. These tensions and dilemmas relate to internal/external control, ethic of care/responsibility, and an emphasis on professional/personal as well as…

Relocation, an intraorganizational geographical transfer, can be used for human resource development (HRD) because of the positive developmental effects it can induce. It is, thus, important for HRD professionals to understand the implications of relocation to ensure it is used appropriately and effectively as an HRD technique. Research on…

Growing concerns about low awareness and take-up rates for government support programs like financial aid for college have recently spurred calls to simplify the application process and enhance visibility. However, little research has been done to determine whether such reforms would truly improve college access and in what form…

The present study aimed to identify and interpret concerns of the new faculty members in Jordanian universities. A total of 336 new faculty members who participated in this study were asked to rate their perceptions of issues related to teaching, research, service, balancing work and home life and the academic culture of their workplace. Means and…