Exploring Human Resource Development in Open, Distance and Digital Education (ODDE): An interpretative Phenomenological Analysis at ODDE University

This study addresses two research questions: (i) What does human resource development mean to employees at open, distance and digital education (ODDE) University? (ii) What is it like for employees to experience human resource development at ODDE University? It applies the phenomenological analysis. The researchers selected four participants (n=4) from the Faculty of Education (FE) and the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanity (FSSH) as purposive sampling, and the data collection is through in-depth interviews based on their own experiences. The research applied the interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach. The IPA employed three stages, namely stage 1 (description), stage 2 (interpretation), and stage 3 (emergent themes – superordinate themes and subordinate themes). The findings revealed that their understanding of human resource development is a continuous improvement that improves human capital continuously through human resource activities and empowerment in which employees have the freedom and trust to carry out their duties and tasks. The participants feel appreciated, for ODDE University is concerned about its employees’ well-being and human resource development practices. These considerations lead to the most vital aspect for ODDE University to sustain itself as an ODDE leader when these employees are motivated and satisfied in continuously contributing their expertise in education. The most significant part of the study is learning from human resource development at ODDE University to sustain itself as the leader in ODDE in Malaysia.