Which economic and organizational theory posits that capital investments made into employee education, training, skill development, and health directly enhance their productive capacity, economic efficiency, and overall value to the organization?  

Human Capital Theory (pioneered by economists Theodore Schultz and Gary Becker) views workers' skills, knowledge, capabilities, and health as a form of capital—termed "human capital"—similar to physical capital (machinery, technology).   Core Premise: Expenditures on formal education, continuous job training, professional development, and workplace wellness are not merely operational expenses; they represent strategic investments.   Organizational Impact: Increasing the human capital stock of an organization leads directly to higher worker productivity, innovation, improved output quality, and overall competitive advantage.