Discusses issues related to programs of management development by action learning leading to qualification in management. Justifies use of the method against a backdrop of current problems in management education at the postgraduate level and explains the rationale for its use at Manchester Polytechnic. (JOW)

Management development is essential for the economic development of least developed countries (LDCs) in Africa. The collectivist culture of LDCs necessitates development of behavior skills and attitudes and a cyclic, experiential learning approach. (SK)

The rationally based model of action learning limits learning and change. Adding a psychological component (emotional experiences that promote or discourage learning) and a political component (effects of institutional and personal power relations on learning) broadens understanding of individual and organizational development. (SK)

Long residential courses for professional managers are a very special type of service industry, presenting peculiar problems for the course organizer to manage. This article deals with the choices the course organizer faces. It is argued that the role of course organizer or program director will benefit by being seen as "service management."…

The authors explore the difficulties relating to the human relationship between the supervisor and the supervised in action learning projects for managers. They provide a framework for supervisory relationships. (CH)

States that formal management development is absent from the majority of Chinese family businesses, but an alternative set of processes produces a high level of managerial talent geared to this particular kind of organization. Describes this alternative system and comments on strengths and weaknesses. (Author/CH)

Outlines the evolution of interpersonal skills training courses for managers into an action learning, learner-centered approach. Presents a four-phase model (confidence to learn, competence, comfort, and improved performance) and describes the phases of competence development: input, discovery, and reflection. (SK)

Addresses the coherence of the principles of action learning, the consequences of employing certain variants in school management courses, the implications for action learning of research into effective training, and the need for thorough evaluation. (Author)