The strategic financial evaluation of human resources development programs by South African firms

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Date
1999-01
Authors
Dhlamini, Alfred Siphiwe
Journal Title
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Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Human resources development plays an important role in the firm by improving productivity, and hence the competitive advantage of the firm. The strategic evaluation of human resources development programs is also important, in that such programs commit a firm's financial resources for a long period with uncertain results. In this study, a method is developed to strategically evaluate human resources development programs. The evaluation method is based on the capital budgeting process. Capital budgeting techniques are a common methods of evaluating long term investments in firms. This study is divided into two main sections. Firstly, a literature study of the subject of human resources development and capital budgeting is undertaken. Based on this study, elements to include in the strategic financial evaluation method are established. Secondly, an empirical study is conducted to determine whether South African firms can use the proposed method to financially evaluate human resources development programs. Using the proposed method as a basis, a questionnaire was determined and tested. The questionnaire was applied to a sample of South African companies, after which the results were reported. Descriptive statistics as well as advanced statistics indicated the following: - South African firms do financially evaluate human resources development programs. - South African firms can use the proposed method to financially evaluate human resources development programs. In conclusion, recommendations on the strategic financial evaluation of human resources development programs by South African firms, are provided.
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Keywords
Human resources development, Financial resources, Capital budgeting process, Financial evaluation, South African firms, Thesis (M.Com. (Business Management))--University of the Free State (South Campus), 1999
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