Abstract:

This paper proposes a comprehensive perspective of Human Resources education (HRE) content knowledge. Based on the European HRE field, it identifies four different approaches to analyze HR educational episteme: management and development; micro and macro; administrative, technical, and strategic; and core, contextual, and instrumental. Distinctions between approaches are made, illustrating the diverse conceptual angles with empirical data from degree programs of Human Resource higher education in Europe. The HR Four-Fold approach model emerges as a tool for considering different epistemic identity options in HRE and simultaneously for suggesting a basic systemic view of the HR educational episteme. The assumption is that, independently of the HR educational epistemic focus, HR educators should endeavor to set HR contents in context by providing a basic and comprehensive approach of the complete HR field of study.