Human Resource Development Quarterly: In the beginning

Abstract

Happy 20th birthday to the Human Resource Development Quarterly! The first issue of HRDQ appeared in January 1990. I had invested almost four years in getting this first research journal in human resource development (HRD) to become a reality. Others joined in along the way. The beginning of HRDQ was a tangled journey and worth every ounce of effort. Until January 1990, our fledging academic discipline had no research journal, no research methodology handbook, no secure academic home (we were imbedded in other departments and disciplines). There was no Academy of Human Resource Development. Pursuing all four of these fronts became the core strategy for advancing the HRD profession as a recognized academic discipline. Establishment of a research journal was the first priority. The Human Resource Development Research Center at the University of Minnesota hosted the original HRDQ planning work and the first eight years of its publication. In the planning stage of HRDQ, there were a number of naysayers who did not believe there was enough research going on in HRD to fill a quarterly research journal. Also in the planning stage, a number of organizational partners were entertained. Being a member of the American Society for Training and Development Research Committee and having established their successful theory-to-practice monograph series was the springboard for American Society for Training and Development involvement. Thank you, ASTD. Having published books through Steve Piersanti, who was then the president of Jossey-Bass Publishers, was the entree to Jossey-Bass as the publishing partner. Piersanti has influenced the HRD profession more than you can imagine. His support of HRDQ is just one major contribution made to HRD. Thank you, Steve Piersanti and Jossey-Bass. Other potential partners came and went, including the University of Minnesota. Originally it was to be the permanent home of HRDQ, with the