Abstract
M.Com. (Human Resource Management)
Orientation. This study unravels the role of workplace learning in transforming work identities of human resource practitioners.
Research Purpose. The objectives of this dissertation were:
✓ To understand how HR practitioners define themselves in relation to their roles.
✓ To explore how individual, social, organisational and other workplace learning experiences of HR practitioners assist them in fulfilling their roles.
✓ To describe how workplace learning experiences of HR practitioners help them in transforming and expressing their work identities.
Motivation for the study: My motive is to know if there are opportunities in what HR professionals learn in developing their work identities; and how what they learn shape who they are, and how they define themselves at work.
Research Design, approach and method: I adopted a qualitative approach by capturing the life histories of two female human resource professionals from different organisations. They provided their stories on how workplace learning transforms their work identities through semi- structured interviews, as well as by keeping a research diary. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data.
Main findings. Both HR practitioners viewed themselves as decision makers, employers as well as human capital developer. They saw themselves as skilful, focused and critical to the business. Their workplace learning experiences, developed and prepared them for higher positions, helped them to make...