Developing human capital through a pragmatic oriented action research project A French case study

The action research methodology used in this article is referred to as 'intervention research'. In specific terms, it is called the Socio-Economic Approach to Management (SEAM). The SEAM approach is both participatory and collaborative. It is a pragmatic oriented action research methodology and it belongs to the French action research tradition with roots in the UK and the work of Tavistock Institute. The action research project described in this study was carried out in a company in the security sector in France. The findings of the study indicate that a pragmatic oriented action research methodology such as SEAM may enhance the quality of human resource management and capabilities, and thus increase the value of human capital. The article also discusses the measurement of human capital and the factors which contribute to the sustainable development of human capital through time.