Human Capital: What It Is and Why People Invest It

By Thomas O. Davenport

Book Overview

Although much has been written to encourage organizations to treat employees as assets, this book argues persuasively for recognizing the worker as the investor. Davenport underscores a fundamental reality of the workplace: work is a two-way exchange of value, not a one-way exploitation of an asset by its owner. Offering a fresh new lens for viewing the realities of today's workplace, this book accurately captures the look of the new employee/employer relationship and the best practices for hiring, developing, and preserving a first-class workforce. Davenport's ideas bring together the key notions of human resources, conflict resolution, and management. He then demonstrates how to put into action the employment practices that provide the employer with organizational value and the employee with a satisfying return on his or her investment.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0787940151
• ISBN13: 9780787940157
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass
• Length: 251 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Insightful!

The 1990s may well be remembered as the decade of employee empowerment (at least in management theory circles), but very few companies ever put their money where their mouths were when it came to dismantling the old "command-and-control" structures. Thomas O. Davenport makes a fresh case for empowerment by placing the argument in the context of the current tight labor market, and presenting scarce knowledge workers as investors of human capital. These human capital investors should be valued, nurtured and rewarded by companies in much the same way that financial investors are cared for. Although many of the conclusions that result from this novel theory mirror those of earlier works in employee empowerment, we [...] strongly recommend this book for its original take on the changing nature of the employer/employee relationship.

Excellent summary of critical human capital investor issues

This book is a valuable and well-written summary of key elements in the equation of how to entice employees - human capital investors - to invest in your enterprise to the benefit of both parties. It pulls together in one book, and one coherent framework, lots of valuable concepts. It is also full of practical ideas on how to implement those concepts. It's worth reading for those who are interested in leading people effectively.

A Business Book with Brains (and Heart and Soul)

As an avid reader of business books and a management consultant myself, I cannot say enough good things about this deceptively straightforward, yet truly great book. Davenport does what other business authors do not typically set out to do: he engages both your mind and your heart. Through the use of metaphors, stories, and real-life case examples, he outlines a sound conceptual framework for understanding employees as investors. Without resorting to glib cliches and "soft-headed" truisims, he builds a logical and convincing case that outlines how any organization interested in greatness can unleash the potential that resides in every employee. By conveying a deep and profound respect for the power and talent of people, he challenges the "architects" and leaders of organizations to create environments that will bring out the best in everybody. By emphasizing the reciprocity of the employee-employer relationship, he shows us how any organization can create and deliver a deal(or deals)that will attract, retain, and motivate the best talent available.