Английский язык: Аннотирование и реферирование текста

147 Тема 8. DETERMINATION OF HUMAN CAPITAL 8.1. What is Human Capital? The concept of human capital is a problematic one. If human capital is defined as the potential and capability of people to add value to the goods and services they produce in the workplace, it must stand that this capital is only for rent through employment or on a more lim- ited contractual basis. Unless laws prohibiting slavery are repealed, the specific decision of any individual to make his or her human capital available for value creation in an organization is a free choice. Human capital then belongs to individuals, not business organizations. The irony is that although human capital may be increased by high-commitment work practices, the success of efforts in developing, challenging, motivating and rewarding individuals depends on their willingness to invest their personal human capital. This decision is dis- cretionary. Therefore, it is not sufficient to merely link high- commitment work practices to shareholder return. If human capital is what workers possess and employers wish to engage, both the perspec- tives and interests of employers and employees in creating shareholder wealth must be clearly defined. 8.2. The Forces of Change The issue of human capital has become increasingly complex, and a function о technology, accelerated growth, changing social ex-