Title: Understanding the Corporate University phenomenon: a human capital theory perspective

Authors: Greg G. Wang, Jessica Li, Xuejun Qiao, Judy Y. Sun

Addresses: School of Human Resource Development and Technology, College of Business and Technology, The University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd. Tyler, TX 75799, USA. ' Department of Learning Technologies, College of Information, UNT Discovery Park, 3940 North Elm Street, G150, Denton, 76207 Texas. ' Graduate School of Education, Peking University, Room 1008, Building A, #1 Zi-Zhu-Yuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100044, China. ' School of Human Resource Development and Technology, College of Business and Technology, The University of Texas at Tyler, 3900 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75799, USA

Abstract: Corporate Universities (CU) have become a global phenomenon in organisations. This study investigated the CU phenomenon through the lens of human capital theory. Combined with a reflexive approach, we conducted a comprehensive review and analysis of literatures in economics and Human Resource Development (HRD). We found that, different from existing CU literature, as a HRD operational entity, the CU and the traditional university were rooted in different skills contexts. Theorising the CU phenomenon is to theorise HRD. We further explored an alternative model to understand the CU phenomenon. Implications for HRD research were also discussed.

Keywords: corporate universities; higher education; human capital theory; specific skills; general skills; skill context; theory building; economics; human resource development; HRD; human resource management; HRM.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRDM.2010.031443

International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, 2010 Vol.10 No.2, pp.182 - 204

Received: 12 May 2008
Accepted: 03 Mar 2009
Published online: 03 Feb 2010 *

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