The most influential literature of human resource development: An exploratory descriptive study

Scope and method of study. This exploratory descriptive study was conducted to identify if there was a most influential literature base in the HRD field. Expert Delphi surveys and citation analysis were used to gain insight into the level of influence that the various pieces of most influential literature have had on HRD research in recent literature.; Findings and conclusions. This study resulted in a compilation of four most influential HRD literature lists: (a) The Most Influential HRD Literature As Identified By Experts (With Expert Comments/Rational For Citation Inclusion), (b) The Top Eleven (Top Tier) HRD Citations Identified By Experts, (c) The Top Eleven Expert Nominations Compared To Actual Citation And Author Frequencies In A 2001 HRD Literature Analysis, and (d)  Top 18 Most Frequently Cited Works In The 2001 HRD Literature.; The study found that while influential pieces of HRD literature have emerged; the HRD field does not yet have an agreed-upon solid literature and knowledge base, which provides a foundation for a discipline. This study provides a snapshot of HRD's most influential literature citations that can contribute today to the foundation of the HRD field's scholarship, education, and practice. This snapshot can help HRD professionals remember the field's roots and celebrate its future growth.