Management standards/NVQs and business benefits : The need for empirical evidence and an evaluation framework to provide it

Considers the claims that the management standards developed by the Management Charter Initiative (MCI) reflect what is required of managers for effective job performance and that using the standards to train managers will lead to business benefits for organizations. Contends, however, that empirical evidence to support these substantial claims is not apparent. Argues that this evidence is necessary at a national policy level, at an organizational investment level and at the human resource functional level. Uses the example of a self‐governing hospital trust’s adoption of the management standards to illustrate the need to evaluate the MCI’s work rigorously. Presents a framework for evaluating the effectiveness of management training based on the management standards.