Decision support systems for human resource training and development

Abstract

Human resource training and development methods and techniques have different qualitative characteristics that require a multicriteria and multiscenario framework for their assessment. This study incorporates the AHP to assess the nine most important human resource training and development methods and techniques, under five criteria and six scenarios. The methods considered are ‘on-the-job training’, ‘mentorship’, ‘apprenticeship’, ‘vestibule training/simulators’, ‘web-based learning’, ‘instructor-led classroom training’, ‘programmed self-instruction’, ‘case studies/role playing’ and ‘systematic job rotations and transfers’. ‘Vestibule training/simulators’ and ‘mentorship’ have the average best scores, and they should be among the first priorities especially when efficiency, the motivation of employees and minimization of the duration of training time are the most important factors. ‘Web-based learning’ is ideal for minimizing training costs or when ease of application is the first priority. ‘On-the-job training’ is a very good alternative when the cost of training should be reduced while the motivation of employees should be increased.

Keywords:

• decision support systems
• multicriteria analysis
• training and development methods and techniques

Notes

1. From the 81 (9 × 9) pairwise comparisons of the 9 methods, 9 comparisons are equal to 1 because each method has equal importance to itself and only half of the remaining 72 pairwise comparisons should be estimated because when x is the evaluation of method A with regard to B, then the evaluation of method B with regard to A is 1/x.