A Theory of Individual Transformation in Human Resource Development: A Conceptual Model and Theoretical Framework

This article introduces the Integrated Theory of Recursive Transformation (ITRT), a novel perspective on individual transformation within the interdisciplinary field of Human Resource Development (HRD). ITRT reframes personal transformation as a driver of development at individual, organizational, and societal levels. Responding to conceptual ambiguity in the transformation literature, the theory posits that transformative growth is a dynamic, individualized process, highlighting changes in thinking, feeling, and acting. The theory is displayed following Dubin’s (1978) method for building theory. The RISE model—Rupture, Inquiry, Synthesis, and Embodiment—conceptualizes transformation as a recursive, nonlinear, and agentic process. ITRT provides HRD practitioners with a model for facilitating long-term individual growth and aligning interventions with the different stages of transformation. Ultimately, ITRT seeks to advance both the theory and practice of HRD by providing a framework for understanding and facilitating individual transformation and establishing a foundation for future research.