Talent Development Research Articles

Looking beyond relative age to understand relative advantage and disadvantage in talent development

In this perspective article, we argue for a broader consideration of relative advantages and disadvantages in youth sport; a lens that considers the complex biopsychosocial factors that influence athlete development beyond relative age. We begin with a brief overview of Relative Age Effects (RAEs), with a particular focus on the proposed underlying mechanisms, followed by a discussion of the cultural and organisational considerations and implications that talent systems must consider when implementing interventions to counteract RAEs. We conclude by proposing key directions for future research in respect to RAEs and talent development more broadly. We argue that there is a need to consider the highly complex nature of RAEs, but also that there are no clear solutions to the issue of RAEs in youth sports, and that proposed solutions may come with unintended consequences. This should encourage us to experiment more, not less, with diverse ways of providing meaningful sports experiences that promote learning, psychosocial development, and performance. We suggest an urgent need for greater practical and research focus on supporting coaches, as they have the greatest capacity to understand the needs of individual athletes. In addition, systemically working towards equal access to skilful coaches. We encourage a shift in focus beyond descriptive methodologies of RAEs toward transformative research methodologies that include action-based research, complex interventions that incorporate context-sensitive qualitative methods, and other participatory research approaches.

Challenges and Strategies for the Sustainable Architectural Education in the Context of Post-Urbanization and Climate Change

The transformation of urbanization patterns due to the pandemic and climate change have significantly reshaped construction market demands, presenting substantial challenges to current architectural education (AE) models. In order to address these challenges and propose effective reform strategies, this study utilizes questionnaires and expert interviews to gather perspectives from architecture students and professionals in a Chinese university. The findings highlight three main issues in AE: (1) misalignment between talent development stages and educational goals; (2) slow updates to curriculum content, leading to lagging behind the needs of times; and (3) inadequate integration of curriculum design with practical application, coupled with excessively lengthy academic programs. To address these challenges, the study proposes the strategies: (1) adopting multi-objective and multi-track approaches for educational goals; (2) reducing length of programs and implementing flexible academic structures; and (3) developing curricula that integrate knowledge with practice. This research offers valuable insights for reforming architectural education within the framework of sustainable development, emphasizing the need for educational goals, curriculum, and cultivation system to evolve to meet the demands of modern practice and development.

Nurturing holistic talent, addressing systemic inequity: Canadian coaches’ insights on optimizing youth soccer talent identification and development

Evidence suggests that youth talent identification and development systems (TIDS) are lacking in quality due to various complex and multifaceted factors specific to youth players. Given the importance of consistently identifying and developing high-achieving players, soccer organizations and coaches rely heavily on effective and productive youth TIDS. This study explored the perspectives of youth coaches in Canada to: (1) enhance the capacity of youth soccer organizations and coaches to make informed decisions about TIDS, (2) maximize the advancement of youth players, (3) identify approaches, practices, and priorities for developing youth players to compete at higher levels. Using a qualitative research approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 National Licensed coaches from professional youth academy or Canada's Youth National Teams. A thematic analysis identified three central themes: (1) Views on TIDS are specific to organizations and coaches, (2) More inclusive and sustainable TIDS are necessary for success, and (3) Exposure to holistic talent development environments is essential. The findings emphasized informed decisions to establish coherent, effective, and player-centered systems through professionalized organizations and coaches, a collective philosophy with clear standards, and prioritization of players’ needs. Inclusive environments increase access to opportunities and resources that motivate players with diverse backgrounds and talents, supporting longterm engagement. An equity-based lens expands the player pool through equitable and sustainable opportunities for all players. A holistic approach to promoting psychosocial well-being and personal development is necessary for meaningful experiences within TIDS. Flexible, differentiated, and empowering approaches are needed for playercentered pathways that meet players’ evolving needs.

Optimizing job satisfaction: a configurational framework for integrating HRD, HR, and employee attributes

Purpose Addressing a significant gap in current understanding, this study explores how workforce development, workplace practices, and employee characteristics interact to influence job satisfaction. We introduce a configurational framework to bolster talent development and enhance job satisfaction in organizations. Design/methodology/approach Through conceptual analysis, we identify and propose strategic talent management configurations that include two-way and three-way interactions between HRD initiatives, HR practices, and employee attributes. We demonstrate the potential efficacy of these tailored configurations with real-world examples, such as aligning developmental support with employee learning styles and job design. Findings A configurational model is proposed that offers a practical framework for leveraging the interplay between HRD initiatives (e.g., training and mentoring), HR practices (e.g., compensation and performance management), and employee attributes (e.g., personality and cognition) to create a tailored, supportive, and engaging work environment. Originality/value The findings provide a novel and actionable framework for workforce development. This configurational model emphasizes the strategic alignment of HRD initiatives, HR practices, and employee attributes, equipping practitioners with a valuable tool to enhance talent management, optimize job satisfaction, improve resource allocation, and ultimately boost organizational performance.

Optimizing university-industry collaboration mechanisms for engineering talent development in the nuclear power sector

In the context of the ongoing scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, the primary goal of engineering education is to develop innovative and skilled professionals who can address the evolving needs of economic and social development. The success of this endeavor is contingent upon the effectiveness of university-industry collaboration in creating robust talent cultivation models. This study identifies and constructs key elements of a safeguard mechanism for such collaborations, including laws, regulations, management systems, and operational frameworks. A survey was conducted among university and industry leaders engaged in cooperative projects within the nuclear power sector, revealing significant insights into the current state and deficiencies of existing mechanisms. Based on these findings, the study proposes targeted strategies and recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of these collaboration mechanisms.

THE INFLUENCE OF VISIONARY LEADERSHIP AND TALENT MANAGEMENT ON UNIVERSITY PERFORMANCE IN ORGANIZATIONAL LEARNING MEDIATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MUHAMMADIYAH IN EAST JAVA

Entering the era of competitive globalization, universities are required to improve their performance in order to produce quality and highly competitive graduates. This study aims to examine the influence of Visionary Leadership and Talent Management on Higher Education Performance, with Organizational Learning as a mediating variable. Using a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design, data was collected through a questionnaire from leaders and heads of decision-making sections at the University of Muhammadiyah in East Java totaling 100 respondents. Data analysis was carried out using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SMART PLS software. The findings show that Visionary Leadership has a significant positive effect on Higher Education Performance, but not significantly on Organizational Learning. On the contrary, Talent Management shows a significant influence both directly on Higher Education Performance and through Organizational Learning. The results of this study show that effective talent management strategies play an important role in improving university performance, both directly and through improving organizational learning. Although Visionary Leadership has a significant direct influence on performance, its influence through organizational learning is not significant in the context of this study. The implications of this study emphasize the need for universities to focus on talent development and retention and create a strong learning culture to achieve higher performance.

Doctoral Qualification Examination System Research Literature Review

Doctoral education, representing the pinnacle of talent development within higher education, serves as a quintessential showcase of a nation’s higher education and research benchmarks. This study undertakes empirical research by examining the evolution and transformation of doctoral qualifying examinations in Western developed countries, while also scrutinizing the pilot initiatives of such examinations in China. The objective is to delve into the implications for doctoral education cultivation in the country, ultimately striving to elevate the quality and international standing of doctoral education.

Exploring Core Knowledge in Interdisciplinary Research: Insights from Topic Modeling Analysis

Although interdisciplinary research has garnered extensive attention in academia, its core knowledge structure has yet to be systematically explored. To address this gap, this study aims to uncover the underlying core knowledge topics within interdisciplinary research, enabling researchers to gain a deeper understanding of the knowledge framework, improve research efficiency, and offer insights for future inquiries. Based on the Web of Science (WoS) database, this study collected 153 highly cited papers and employed the LDA topic model to identify latent topics and extract the knowledge structure within interdisciplinary research. The findings indicate that the core knowledge topics of interdisciplinary research can be categorized into four major areas: the knowledge framework and social impact of interdisciplinary research, multidisciplinary approaches in cancer treatment and patient care, Covid-19 multidisciplinary care and rehabilitation, and multidisciplinary AI and optimization in industrial applications. Moreover, the study reveals that AI-related interdisciplinary research topics are rapidly emerging. Through an in-depth analysis of these topics, the study discusses potential future directions for interdisciplinary research, including the cultivation and development of interdisciplinary talent, evaluation systems and policy support for interdisciplinary research, international cooperation and interdisciplinary globalization, and AI and interdisciplinary research optimization. This study not only uncovers the core knowledge structure of interdisciplinary research but also demonstrates the effectiveness of the LDA topic model as a data mining tool for revealing key topics and trends, providing practical tools for future research. However, this study has two main limitations: the time lag of highly cited papers and the dynamic evolution of interdisciplinary research. Future research should address these limitations to further enhance the understanding of interdisciplinary research.

Who Should Be Promoted to Management? Developing Promotion Criteria to Ensure Organizational Success

This article explores effective criteria and processes for promoting the right employees into management roles. Through a review of academic literature and insights from professional experience, key competencies for management success are identified, including technical skills, strategic thinking, interpersonal abilities, coaching talent, and change leadership. A multidimensional framework for defining and assessing these competencies is proposed. Best practices for cultivating a pipeline of future leaders through challenging assignments, training, sponsorship and accountability are also discussed. Case studies of Google and GE's systematic talent evaluation methodologies demonstrate research-based concepts in action. The article argues a multifaceted, evidence-driven approach anchored in competency modeling and integrated talent development optimize the alignment of personnel with organizational needs to ensure sustained excellence through strong leadership over time.

Optimizing talent identification and development in finswimming athletes: Challenges and innovative solutions

The main objective of this article is to highlight the components of anthropometry, biomotor abilities, and skills related to the identification and development of young athletes’ talent and to propose several possible solutions that practitioners and researchers can consider to optimize talent identification. A total of 60 Intermediate First students were recruited and tested for anthropometry, biomotor abilities, and skills. The subjects selected for this study were chosen based on the criteria that they had participated in extracurricular swimming activities and could swim freestyle for 50 meters. The results show that anthropometry is an important factor, with the following values: height (TB) 0.895a, lean body weight (BBTL) 0.832a, leg length (PTU) 0.819a, hand length (PTA) 0.738a, arm span (RL) 0.705a, and body weight (BB) 0.682a. The biomotor values are as follows: explosive power of leg muscles (DLOT) 0.896a, left ankle dorsiflexion (ADFKI) 0.797a, leg muscle strength (KOT) 0.701a, right ankle dorsiflexion (ADFKA) 0.683a, explosive power of arm muscles (DLOL) 0.638a, arm muscle strength (KOL) 0.637a, left ankle plantar flexion (APLKA) 0.514a, and right ankle plantar flexion (APLKI) 0.545a. Several skill characteristics that significantly influence bi-fin swimming athletes’ talents include breathing using a snorkel (BMS) 0.579a, swimming 100 meters using a snorkel and fins (B100) 0.532a, and underwater kicking for 15 meters (UW15) 0.500a. These findings provide proof that components of anthropometry (BB, TB, PTU, PTA, RL, and BBTL), biomotor abilities (KOT, ADFKI, ADFKA, APFKI, APFKA, KOL, DLOT, and DLOL), and skills (BMS, B100, and UW15) related to the identification and development of young athletes’ talent in finswimming (bi-fins) can provide solutions and a strong foundation to support the development of athletes’ talent. However, further research is required to confirm and validate this finding.

Dilemmas and Governance Strategies in the Implementation of the Modern Apprenticeship System in Chinese Vocational Colleges: A Perspective from Principal-Agent Theory

As China's industrial economy transitions towards high-quality development, the demand for highly skilled technical personnel has surged. The modern apprenticeship system, an important mechanism for deepening collaboration between educational institutions and enterprises, has been widely promoted within vocational colleges. However, nearly a decade into its implementation, this system faces challenges such as insufficient engagement from enterprises, loose relationships between schools and businesses, and a lack of assessment and feedback mechanisms. These issues have led to suboptimal outcomes in talent development. This paper innovatively applies principal-agent theory to expose conflicts in value demands, adverse selection, and moral hazards within the multifaceted principal-agent relationships among vocational colleges, enterprises, and the government. It proposes governance strategies that involve multi-stakeholder participation in policy-making, the establishment of qualification entry systems for cooperative enterprises, and the improvement of supervision and incentive mechanisms. These strategies aim to resolve conflicts and enhance cooperation efficiency, thereby providing robust support for the effective implementation of the modern apprenticeship system in vocational colleges.

The Role of Talent Development in Organizational Change: A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Corporate Trends

The evolution and key themes in the field of talent management research from 2000 to 2024 are highlighted in this study's thorough bibliometric analysis and thematic overview. Effective human resource strategies inside organizations are determined to be based on the fundamental elements of talent management, which include leadership, training and development, and organizational performance. It is acknowledged that the incorporation of technology innovations, including big data, machine learning, and digital transformation, has a revolutionary impact on talent management procedures by permitting more predictive and data-driven methods. In addition to discussing the implications of diversity and inclusion in cultivating a creative and flexible workforce, this study examines the strategic significance of matching organizational objectives with talent management in order to improve competitive advantage. The study also discusses the potential and problems associated with technology integration in human resources, stressing the importance of ethical concerns and upholding a human-centered approach in the face of technological breakthroughs.

The Practice Deviation and Governance of the Smart Care Policy——Take Jining City as an Example

Due to the difference between the supply and demand of the policy, as well as the multifaceted conundrum surrounding the policy’s implementation, it is necessary to define the subject’s boundaries of duty while implementing smart care policies. In order to examine the elements that lead to practice deviation and their governance plans, this study employs the research methodology of case analysis and literature analysis to examine Jining City’s smart care policy from the standpoint of public policy. With limited financial resources, it seeks to better serve the demands of the senior population, encourage the efficient development of the old-age care service system, and achieve better resource allocation for old-age care. As a result, the paper recommends enhancing the relationship between the supply of pension services and the demand from the elderly population, encouraging the efficient and well-balanced development of the pension service system, bolstering the development of professional talent, and making it clearer who is responsible for what when it comes to implementing wise pension policy.

Ethics and Values Matter: The Role of Higher Education

Human existence is a process of learning and development aimed at achieving wisdom, and education has been regarded as the ultimate value system since the birth of culture and way of life for this reason. Education is more than only the acquisition of skills or the gathering of knowledge or news about a topic of interest from others or from other parts of the world. It is not limited to the abilities of obtaining information received and preserved via knowing, or just the exploration of existential problems and familiarization with previously acquired knowledge or data, or with a system of knowledge - but also with the goal of comprehending this cognition. Knowledge is involved with the comprehension of a collection of propositions or concepts. Knowledge can be theoretical and practical, fundamental and abstract, and it may exist in any time period: past, present, and future. However, cognition is always done in the present. Past memories and future prophecies are also remembered in the present, as the ideas flash or surface in the mind. These flashes act as an impetus for our quick determination, allowing us to decide whether or not to undertake anything. However, for the purpose of brevity, I'll lump the two, knowledge and cognition, together under the heading of knowledge. Education fosters the development of talents from all three faculties, as well as wisdom in their right application for the benefit of people and society for creating value and ethics. The goal of NEP 2020 is also having important role in higher education teaching to encourage systematic and focused discoveries and practices that benefit society. Society views higher education institutions as catalysts for the transformation of knowledge into wisdom. The quality, morals, and ethics of higher education institutions are increasingly important in integrating young people into society. A country like India has a large young population, and they are the frontiers of the Indian government's Made in India Initiative. It has been well mentioned that the actual philosophy of education is in the combination of ethics, virtues, values, and the validity of human life, thus it is vital to improve ethical values, philosophical thinking, study, research, and moral growth in the Indian education system.

SOFTWARE MATURITY LEVEL AND TRAINING OF QUALIFIED PERSONNEL IN SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES AT IFBA

The Brazilian Digital Games Industry has grown significantly over the past few years, resulting in the approval, by the Federal Senate, of Bill PL 2.796/2021, which creates the legal framework for the electronic games industry. Educational programs focused on game development in Brazil are a necessity for training talent and promoting innovation in this segment. Being a high-risk business, digital game development requires metrics that can assess technology development. In this context, the objective of this work was to present a correlation between the level of software technology readiness and the digital game development process, as well as to analyze IFBA courses that increase the supply of qualified personnel in digital game development. For this, bibliographic and documentary research procedures were used. Four technology readiness level (TRL) scales applied to software developed by American and Brazilian government agencies were identified, all adapted from the TRL scales and requiring adjustments for application in the various software technologies. The DG-STRL scale, by Ferreira and Ribeiro, correlates the stages of digital game development with the TRL for software technology, and is an instrument focused on the sector. It was observed that the IFBA offers game development courses at continuing education, undergraduate and specialization levels, contributing to the training of talented developers capable of competing on a global scale.

Exploring Savico’s journey: dynamic capabilities and Industry 4.0 integration in organisation–industry actor relationships

PurposeThe purpose of the study is to enhance the extant empirical and conceptual understanding of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) adoption and its repercussions for an organisation operating in an emerging economy, considering the dynamic capabilities framework. The study investigates (1) the potential impact of the I4.0 phenomenon on relationships between organisations and industry actors, (2) the existing effects of I4.0 on these relationships and (3) the necessary measures for organisations to unlock the full potential of I4.0 in order to enhance and reinforce these relationships.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative method was used. Semi-structured, open-ended face-to-face and online interviews were conducted with 18 directors, managers and chief executive officers (CEOs) of Savico, a leading Vietnamese car dealership.FindingsThe analysis revealed various dimensions highlighting impacts on organisation–industry actor relationships. For instance, the “enhancing internal/external operations” dimension highlights the significance of benefitting the company’s close stakeholders through a centralised management system or more advanced functions, while the empowering-nimble outcomes dimension underlines the benefits of I4.0 in enabling performance-based choices and staff empowerment.Practical implicationsTechnological phenomena such as the I4.0 regime require constant adaptive strategies, including knowledge acquisition and talent development. Thus, the study has implications for industry stakeholders, including companies, educational institutions and government agencies.Originality/valueThe study’s key value lies in proposing a model that provides conceptual depth into organisation–industry actor relationships. Furthermore, both the analysis and the model can guide researchers in future attempts to examine dynamic capabilities among firms operating in emerging economies, with important practical and theoretical implications.

Research on Teaching Reform of Finance and Accounting Major in Colleges and Universities under the Integrated Mode of “Post Course Competition Certificate”

In recent years, with the government’s strong emphasis on vocational education and the in-depth promotion of the “post course competition certificate” integration model, the teaching reform of finance and accounting programs in colleges and universities has gained new development opportunities. This integrated teaching model, which aligns courses with job roles, combines course content with certification requirements and enhances learning through competitions, plays a crucial role in improving the quality of education. It not only enhances teaching effectiveness but also strengthens students’ professional skills and overall competence, meeting the demands of modern vocational education. Furthermore, it positively contributes to students’ personal development and broader societal progress. In this context, this paper explores the teaching reform of finance and accounting programs in colleges and universities under the “post course competition certificate” integration model, intending to provide insights for improving the quality of finance and accounting talent development.

Psychological and Cultural Preparation of University Students to Face the Challenges of Globalization in Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A Field Study

Objectives: This study evaluates the cultural and psychological preparation of university students to confront globalization's challenges by assessing the current state of such preparation from both faculty members’ and students’ perspectives. Background: University education is crucial for fostering higher-order thinking, talent development, and abilities that equip students to navigate the negative impacts of globalization. However, the extent of students' cultural and psychological readiness to face these challenges remains unclear. The study is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), focusing on building competencies for global engagement. Method: A survey method was employed to collect data from faculty members and students, examining psychological and cultural preparation, including self-esteem, socialization, and intercultural competence. Gender and academic discipline differences were also explored. Results and Discussion: The findings revealed generally low levels of both psychological and cultural preparation, with no significant differences between faculty and student views. Male students scored higher in psychological dimensions like self-esteem and socialization, while female students performed better in cultural preparation. Additionally, students from scientific disciplines exhibited higher levels of psychological and cultural readiness than those from other fields. Research Implications: The study emphasizes the need for targeted initiatives to enhance students' psychological and cultural preparedness, especially in non-scientific disciplines, to effectively confront globalization's challenges. Originality/Value: By identifying specific gaps in psychological and cultural readiness, this study provides practical recommendations for improving university education to better prepare students for global challenges.

Education, Science and Technology, and Talent Integrated Development: Evidence from China

Education, science and technology, and talent are significant factors driving economic growth. Coordinating the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent is not only an important way to achieve the development of education, technology, and talent themselves, but it is also a crucial path to sustainable development. The research objectives of this paper are to explore the coupling coordination relationship among the three subsystems of education, science and technology, and talent and to investigate their spatiotemporal pattern evolution characteristics. This paper, based on panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2001 to 2022, constructs an evaluation index system for “education–science and technology–talent” (EST) development from three dimensions: education, science and technology, and talent. It comprehensively employs methods such as spatiotemporal pattern evolution, LISA time path, and spatial transitions to evaluate the level of China’s EST. The results indicate the following: (1) During the research period, the level of China’s EST shows a significant upward trend, with the educational subsystem being the most prominent. (2) The level of China’s EST development has a significant spatial differentiation characteristic, generally showing a decreasing trend from the eastern to the central and western regions. (3) In terms of the stability of the spatiotemporal pattern, the spatial pattern of China’s EST development is relatively stable, and there is no significant spatial shift during the research period. This study provides a new method for the evaluation of complex systems and also offers a reference for the economic growth of many developing countries.

Research on the Path of Further Deepening the Reform and Internationalization of English Education in the Hainan Free Trade Zone

With the establishment of the Hainan Free Trade Zone (FTZ), the internationalization of English education has become a key element of the region’s educational reform efforts. As globalization intensifies, fostering an internationalized English education system is crucial for improving the competitiveness and global positioning of the Hainan FTZ. This study explores the multiple pathways and strategies for promoting the internationalization of English education in the Hainan FTZ, focusing on aspects such as policy support, curriculum reform, teacher training, international collaboration, and the effective allocation of educational resources. By examining the current state of English education in the region, identifying key challenges, and drawing insights from successful domestic and international cases—particularly from free trade zones elsewhere—this paper offers actionable recommendations. These suggestions aim to enhance the region’s educational outcomes, thereby bolstering the Hainan FTZ’s broader objectives of economic growth and enhanced global connectivity. The proposed strategies also seek to elevate the international stature of the Hainan FTZ as a regional hub for talent development, international exchange, and soft power enhancement.