The transition to management is one of the most difficult challenges first-time managers face--almost half fail. First-time managers may experience disorienting dilemmas that trigger transformative learning. HRD (human resource development) practitioners can assist in reducing the failure rate of first-time managers when they better understand the…

Several factors associated with increasing discontent in middle management ranks have been identified. One of these is known as a boxed-in feeling or locking-in, which refers to the ongoing feeling an individual has when he has almost no opportunity to move from his present job or when the only position for which he is qualified is the job he…

During the past 30 years, assessment centers have become an increasingly popular method for evaluating employees and potential employees in work organizations. This study was conducted to evaluate an assessment center which was part of a management development program for state government employees. The study examined: (1) whether assessment…

For this discussion, new technologies are defined as specially designed training systems based on microcomputers that incorporate high resolution color displays, special input devices for responses, laser videodiscs for storage of stimulus materials, and hard disk storage for programs and responses. Such systems have several advantages over…

The first of the three papers in this symposium, "Conflicts that Arise in Small Group Facilitation: A Descriptive Study of Accounts, Actions, Outcomes, and Assessments" (Judith A. Kolb, William J. Rothwell), contains self-report verbatim accounts contributed by facilitators and the results of a literature review on small group conflict.…