HRevolution

In The Structure Of Scientific Revolutions Thomas Kuhn wrote about how theories and paradigms change. His point was that science doesn't gradually evolve toward truth, but that it undergoes periodic revolutions - paradigm shifts. Revolutions occur when the predominant theory is replaced by a one which explains things better. Interestingly, the change isn't smooth. The old theory doesn't retire - it gets shredded - then its replaced by a new one. The point is, there's an active component. Sometimes the old theory is retired through the inevitable death of it's proponents. They may never be convinced to of the veracity of the new one, but they do eventually die.

Applying this model to HR, there has been plenty of evolution, whether it be evolving new practices to conform to new laws or buying new software to deal with labor shortages, but everything is incremental. There hasn't been a revolution since the industrial age. I'm not convinced we have a prevailing theory today, but the incremental change isn't accomplishing much. We need a "school of thought". I don't care where it comes from - academia would be fine - but I hope it comes soon. In the meantime we need to tear up the existing structure. I'll do my part. Generations X and Y probably won't require much convincing when a new theory is proposed. They'll just hold out a little longer till the old guard dies off.