Measuring and fostering human capital : evidence from an action research project

International audienceThe action research methodology used in this paper 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 and belongs to the French action research tradition with roots in the UK and the work of Tavistock. 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 increase the value of human capital. The article also discusses the measurement of human capital during an action research project and the factors which contribute to the sustainable development of human capital