Amanda Cahir-O’Donnell & Carole Hogan 
Learning & Development: Concepts, Context and Processes [PDF ebook] 
(Learning & Development in Organisations series #1)

LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT: CONCEPTS, CONTEXTS AND PROCESSES outlines and discusses the core concepts of learning, training and development and related concepts, such as human resource development and workplace learning. It provides a brief outline of the historical development of L&D in organisations and discusses key external and internal changes that shape the way that organisations manage strategic L&D. These external trends include global competition and the global labour market, changing technology and the changing workforce, as well as trends such as corporate social responsibility (CSR), ethics and sustainability. Key internal context elements include business strategy, organisational structure and culture. It also documents key changes in managing people, including changing careers, the changing nature of jobs, work design, employee contracting, talent management and the role of personal initiative. The ebook then explains the scope, nature and boundaries of strategic L&D and concludes with a discussion of strategic L&D and evaluates the case for investment in L&D in organisations.