International HRD alliances in viable knowledge migration and development: the Czech Academic Link Project

Abstract

International HRD alliances (IHRDAs) are increasingly popular forms of voluntary co-operation between organizations of different sizes, sectors and international locations to satisfy HRD purposes in increasingly complex business environments. However, IHRDAs may fail, often associated with cultural differences and differences in management, training and learning styles. The paper proposes that we explore IHRDAs through viable systems within a critical theory perspective, especially focusing on knowledge development in IHRDAs, explored through the cognitive interests, cognitive purposes and knowledge migrations involved. The framework is applied to the analysis of one particular IHRDA, the Czech Academic Link Project (CZALP), involving UK and Czech partners in the university sector.