In this critical essay we argue that recent human resource development (HRD) initiatives in building "learning communities" and appropriating employees' holistic development are exploiting spiritual needs and offering promises traditionally fulfilled through spiritual search and worship. We explicate what we mean by HRD, and trace its expanding curriculum into areas of spirituality. We describe and critically analyse examples of spirituality-based HRD programs, showing how such programs embed contradictions, are pervaded by a fundamentalist zeal, invade individuals' privacy, demand surrender while resisting critical discernment, appropriate selected promises of spirituality, and meld whole persons to the global marketplace. Finaly, we explore how spirituality might be integrated with work and learning in ways that are more ethical, ecumenical, ecological, and inclusive.
Full article here.
Full article here.