ABSTRACT
Traditionally, U.S. companies lag behind Asian and European competitors in providing training and development once employees qualify for their jobs (Camevale & Goldstein, 1990). However, employee development is a necessary component of U.S. companies’ efforts to improve quality, meet the challenges of global competition, use new technologies in producing products and services, and capitalize on the strengths of a diverse workforce. Many companies have adopted a continuous learning philosophy as a means to facilitate employee development. One of the major tenets of a continuous learning philosophy is that employees at all levels of the company must actively pursue training and development activi ties. Continuous learning also requires employees to understand the relationship between their jobs and work units and the company’s mission.
