Introduction
In the 'knowledge economy' it is widely recognized that the effective engagement and utilization of human capital and the other facets of intellectual capital are critical, if not the only means to organizations' short-term success and long-term survival. Organizations and their officers realize that the critical sources of competencies, capabilities, and sustainable competitive advantage require the ability to attract, retain, develop, manage, and reward effectively their human assets. Yet, few are actually 'walking the walk' and even fewer are using quantitative tools to develop and manage this 'fuzzy' asset. A number of developments are making human assets, management, and measurement increasingly more prominent to today's executives, including: changing demographics of the labor force, the increasingly rapid pace of technological innovation, rapidly changing global competition, greater attention to customers' changing needs, and experimentation with new intra and inter-organizational structures. At the same time, the lack of legal and institutional standardized frameworks and infrastructure, underlined by the lack of agreed-upon definitions and theories, make such an attempt a difficult, if not impossible one.
Objective of the Book
In response to this growing gap and escalating challenges, this book is envisioned as a manuscript that will provide a robust scientific and quantitative foundation for a multi-disciplinary, multi-level theory of human capital and human assets. The study of human capital and assets originated in economics, and was later advanced by accounting, human resource, and strategic management (among many others). Lacking a comprehensive, unifying theory, it became agonizingly clear that a reliable, transparent, and widely accepted measurement system for the valuation of human capital and assets at the organization level is missing. From the broader economic and legal perspectives, the focus on human assets might be even more important. The inability of the financial markets to monetize human (or for that matter any other intellectual) assets is resulting in a major market failure. This book calls for a multidisciplinary, multi-level discussion that is urgently needed. Quantitative research needs to be done at multiple levels, from numerous perspectives and disciplines, focusing on different and diverse units of analysis (country, region, organization, groups, and individuals).
Specifically, this call solicits chapter proposals from a multidisciplinary array of scholars that can contribute to one or more of (but not limited to) the following perspectives/disciplines: Economic, Financial, Accounting, Systems-Networks, Biological, Physics, Behavioral, Human Resources, Economic Development, and Regional Development. Additional perspectives, if proposed, will be considered. Multi-level and multi-discipline chapters discussing quantitative research findings are strongly encouraged. When appropriate, pluralities of empirical methods from diverse disciplines are also encouraged.
Recommended topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
Economic perspective
a. An introduction to the current state of knowledge
b. Multi-level inquiries
Financial perspective
c. An introduction to the current state of knowledge
d. Multi-level inquiries
Accounting perspective
e. An introduction to the current state of knowledge
f. Multi-level inquiries
Systems-Networks perspective
g. An introduction to the current state of knowledge
h. Multi-level inquiry
Biological perspective
i. An introduction to the current state of knowledge
j. Multi-level inquiries
Physics perspective
k. An introduction to the current state of knowledge
l. Multi-level inquiry
Behavioral perspective
a. An introduction to the current state of knowledge
b. Multi-level inquiry
Human Resources perspective
a. An introduction to the current state of knowledge
b. Multi-level inquiry
Economic Development perspective
a. An introduction to the current state of knowledge
b. Multi-level inquiry
Regional Development perspective
a. An introduction to the current state of knowledge
b. Multi-level inquiry
Cross-Disciplinary discussions
a. An introduction to the current state of knowledge
b. Multi-disciplinary studies
Illustrative case studies using:
a. at least two perspectives
b. at least two levels within a discipline
Submission Procedure
Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit on or before October 15, 2014, a 1-2 page chapter proposal clearly outlining your chapter and identifying your theoretic discipline, theories, and, when applicable, empirical method approaches related to human capital and assets. Chapters should be within 7,000-10,000 words, and should commence with a broader scope summary of the perspective to underpin the chapter within (or between) perspectives. For a case study, contributors should plan 4,000-7,000 words and each case should clearly state the dilemmas and the perspectives illustrated. Each case should also provide the data needed to test alternative methods or interpretations. Include, as a separate file, a brief biography covering your current institutional affiliation and position, a listing of your relevant publications and educational background, and any other pertinent information regarding your qualifications for contributing to this manuscript.
Authors of accepted proposals will be notified by December 1, 2014 about the status of their proposals and sent chapter guidelines. Full chapters are expected to be submitted by February 16, 2015. All submitted chapters will be reviewed on a double-blind review basis. Contributors may also be requested to serve as reviewers for this project.
Publisher
This book is scheduled to be published by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), publisher of the "Information Science Reference" (formerly Idea Group Reference), "Medical Information Science Reference," "Business Science Reference," and "Engineering Science Reference" imprints. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit www.igi-global.com. This publication is anticipated to be released in 2014.
Important Dates
October 15, 2014: Proposal Submission Deadline
December 1, 2014: Notification of Acceptance
February 16, 2015: Full Chapter Submission
April 15, 2015: Review Results Returned
June 15, 2015: Final Chapter Submission
July 31, 2015: Final Deadline
Inquiries and submissions can be forwarded electronically (Word document) to:
Meir Russ
Professor, Management
Philip J. and Elizabeth Hendrickson Professor in Business
Austin E. Cofrin School of Business
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Wood Hall 460; 2420 Nicolet Drive
Green Bay, WI 54311-7001; USA
Tel + 1 (920) 465-2757 Fax +1 (920) 465- 2660
russm@uwgb.edu