Creating Career-Conducive Organizations: A Primary Intervention Approach

Abstract

The problem and the solution. This article introduces the concept of career-conducive organizations and suggests ways human resource development (HRD) professionals can help to create them. A healthy psychosocial environment is proposed to be the foundation of career conduciveness. A case is made for making healthy psychosocial environments one of an organizations' primary goals and for HRD playing a significant role in achieving this goal. Methods for improving the workplace psychosocial environment are discussed, including stress audits, work environment monitoring, person— environment matching, and participatory action research. It is argued that creating career-conducive organizations is not only an important strategic HRD contribution but also an important quality-of-life contribution and an ethical duty.