Theme 3: Development of Human Capital

Not unlike traditional management approaches, the traditional perspective on labour and workers is not appropriate for the challenges in the 21st century. Education has become much more important and a skilled workforce can add much value to the design of processes and products, by contributing their knowledge expertise in a participative way. Improving education and management of the quality of a firm’s labour force increasingly constitutes a source of competitive advantage and differentiation.

It is far from trivial, however, how an optimal performance and utilization of their human resources can be realized. A process of systematic learning what works is required.

Theme 3 “Development of Human Capital” focuses on key questions relating to the growth of human and social capital within education and the firm, and the maintenance and development of the knowledge and skills of individual employees. This includes research on the development of human capital in schools and the connection between initial education and the skill demands in the labour market and the best ways to address any skill gaps through formal and informal modes of lifelong learning.

Theme Leader: Prof. dr. Andries de Grip

Development of Human Capital

Focuses on key questions relating to the growth of intellectual and social capital within the firm, and the maintenance and development of the skills of individual employees. This includes research concerning the connection between initial education and the requirements from the labour market and the best ways to address any gaps through additional, more specific training.

Not unlike traditional management approaches, the traditional perspective on labour workers is not appropiate for the challenges in the 21st century. Education has become much more important and a skilled workforce can add much value to the design of processes and products, by contributing their knowledge expertise in a participative way. Improving education and management of the quality of a firm's labour force increasingly constitutes a source of competitive advantage and differation.

It is far from trivial, however, how an optimal performance and utilization of their human resources can be realized. A process of systematic learning what works is required. This theme focuses on key questions relating to the growth of human and social capital within education and the firm, and the maintenance and development of the knowledge and skills of individual employees. This includes research on the development of human capital in schools and the connection between initial education and the skill demands in the labour market and the best ways to address any skills gaps through formal and informal modes of lifelong learning.

Theme Leader: Prof.dr. Andries de Grip

Reseachers working on this theme:

Prof.dr. Andries de Grip (Coordinator)

Mien Segers

Joan Muysken

Thomas Dohmen

Lex Borghans

Robert Roe

Wim Gijselaers

Ursula Glunk

Walter Hendriks

Bart Golsteyn

Frank Cörvers

Piet Van den Bossche

Jacqueline van Beuningen

Ruud Gerards

Annemarie Nelen

Maarten Cuijpers

Sjir Uitdewilligen

Charlotte Büchner

Bianca Buligescu

Ron Diris

Danielle Twardy-Duisters

Catherine Gabelica

Raoul Haenbeukers

Niek Hensen

Claudia Jasmand

Elise Meijer

Tyas Prevoo

Tina Saebi

Jan Sauermann