Describes "Developing the Learning Company," a pilot project funded by Great Britain's Manpower Services Commission. Its purpose was to define and test the feasibility of Learning Companies as an approach to business and human resource development strategies. A Learning Company is one that facilitates the learning of all its members and…

According to survey responses from 20 British companies (21%), 4 had not heard of accreditation of prior learning (APL), 13 did not use it, and 3 did, although not specifically for management development. Nonusers had some negative attitudes toward APL, dismaying considering its potential role in the competence approach to management development.…

A course for recently promoted police inspectors in England and Wales has three stages: precourse identification of learning objectives, six weeks of instruction, and four months of "learning through work." Five phases of instruction include role and context of police work, management skills, relations within the police organization,…

The Master's of Business Administration model includes skills, functions, and strategy and focus on traditional "management"; formal knowledge acquired may be unrelated to practical experience. The certificate in management model focuses on competencies, disaggregation, managers, and experiential, work-based learning but may ignore a…

The success of the strategic management program developed by United Biscuits (United Kingdom) for senior managers resulted from (1) tailoring the program to organizational and individual needs; (2) using company-specific material; (3) involving top management; and (4) using a follow-up program. (JOW)

Suggests that many of the features associated with doctoral research are being lost to potential management development programs through lack of perceived relevant routes. Addresses the real problem of a lack of awareness of the contribution doctoral research can make to management development. (JOW)

Analysis of affirmative action in South Africa suggests it fails because (1) it is based on developing blacks and women to function in a fundamentally unchanged work environment; (2) it is often seen as quota filling and not development; and (3) many expect it to fail and commitment is lacking. (SK)

Evidence from foreign-owned companies in Greece suggests that cultural patterns and environmental influences cannot be ignored. However, such companies could influence human resource development in a developing country by following their home policies in training and staffing. (SK)

Small business education in Britain is underdeveloped in relation to other areas of management education. The underdevelopment is a product of the oversimplified stereotype of the small business manager held by many trainers and educators. (JOW)

A survey of 59 business schools in 28 countries and case studies of 10 European institutions revealed current trends in management education and faculty development; faculty development policies, practices, and needs; and human resource issues. One conclusion was that many schools teach staff development policies and practices that they do not…

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)

A sociohistorical approach identified differences in the way management is perceived and practiced in Britain and France. Two distinct managerial types--British gifted amateurs and French bright cadres--must be recognized to plan joint management development programs. (SK)

Hungarian business education in a restructuring era faces such challenges as underemphasis on corporate finance/accounting and overemphasis on bookkeeping, lack of status for marketing in the curriculum, and isolation of subjects with little practical application. The goal of sustainable development is a possible focus for business administration…

Focus groups with British school and college headteachers (n=12) holding degrees in educational management identified important management competencies (ability to learn, to act decisively, to think globally). Managerial knowledge, skills, and higher order capacities need to be targeted specifically as each requires a difference development…

Factors that hinder management development among Blacks in South Africa include educational disadvantage, cultural differences, discrimination, and marginality. Affirmative action and management development as a strategic policy will have to be practiced to redress the imbalances of apartheid. (SK)