The ethics of talent development: frameworks and identities
European Journal of Training and Development
ISSN: 2046-9012
Article publication date: 15 November 2022
Issue publication date: 10 April 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the ethics of authentic talent development in socioeconomic context by considering a set of alternative ethical frameworks. It juxtaposes the ideals of civic virtue, which involve a concern for the common good, with the reality that socioeconomic deprivation and sociocultural practices severely constrain talent development opportunities and choice.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on several frameworks complementary to the ideals of civic virtue – the basic goods approach, human capital theory, the capabilities approach and the ethic of care – to elucidate the barriers to talent development embodied in sociocultural context, as well as policy and institutional practices to overcoming these barriers.
Findings
While multiple ethical frameworks are necessary to fully capture the issues related to authentic talent development in socioeconomic context, a focus on the ethic of care and basic goods provision is an important starting point. There are also a few fundamental starting points for human resource development in responding to ethical concerns regarding authentic talent development.
Originality/value
While the prevailing approach to talent development is implicitly based on a logic of social identity ascription, this paper promotes an alternative approach based on the ethics of civic virtue. While the former is oriented to the support of social hierarchies based on identity, the latter is oriented to fostering both social and human well-being via choice and authentic talent development.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Thomas Garavan and two anonymous referees for very helpful comments.
Citation
Reinert, K. and Debebe, G. (2023), "The ethics of talent development: frameworks and identities", European Journal of Training and Development, Vol. 47 No. 3/4, pp. 327-347. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJTD-07-2021-0106
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited