Training Program Development Theories - Coursework Example

To begin with, there are mainly three types of training program development theories such as identical elements, stimulus generalization, and cognitive theory each of which emphasizes specific areas. Therefore, the Backwoods should follow the most appropriate theories by taking the most attention-needed areas into account. Previously, it was identified that effective delivery of customer orders is the main objective of the proposed training program. As discussed earlier, employees in the customer orders division need adequate technical skills because they are to deal with customer calls through a computer network system. The identical elements theory suggests that the “training environment is identical to the work environment” (Table 5.1). Under predictable and stable work environment features, this strategy works efficiently. The work performed by the customer order division is predictable and of stable nature. Since there are no chances for future changes in work nature, the organization can effectively train its employees once this method gets implemented. Therefore, the Backwoods Company should follow the identical elements theory to improve the technical efficiency of the customer order department. The most fascinating feature of this theory is that it enables organizational change within a minimum time.

     Similarly, we saw that service division employees must possess some level of communication skills to serve the customer's interests effectively. It is not possible to adopt identical elements strategy as it involves some unpredictable and unstable job functions. For this, the organization should take up stimulus generalization theory. This concept reflects that “general principles apply to many different situations” (Table 5.1). Communication skill is not a specific necessity for the customer service division as it is the basic requirement for an employee. The customer service division employees may face varied customer complaints each day; and, a pre-designed training package would not sufficiently benefit the organization. However, the stimulus generalization concept enables employees to deal with different business situations. Therefore, Backwoods would get long-term benefits through the application of this strategy. This training method is a complex process that may take a long time to achieve the desired outputs. Although the increased time consumption is a limitation, it may bring results that would boost the overall development of the Backwoods. The cognitive theory seems inappropriate to this organization since some of its criteria seem ambiguous.

From the above discussion, it is evident that the Backwoods can effectively apply identical elements and stimulus generalization concepts for improving the efficacy of its proposed training program.