Focuses on the work of managers in new forms of organisations which are flexible, horizontally integrated, and decentralised. Although much has been written about managers, including their roles, functions, and skills, the organisational context is changing, and new perspectives are needed. A...

This article reports the results of a study on management development practices in US service and manufacturing organizations. Data and statistical analyses from a sample of 433 middle and front‐line managers from 59 different US service and manufacturing organizations are reported which...

Current organizational theory looks at time on task, as opposed to time off task. However, there is a more complex pattern of time use. Organization time, based on these findings, is defined as whether one engages with organization, or disengages from organization, and engages with task, or...

Perlmutter’s typology distinguishing between ethnocentric, polycentric, and geocentric management is considered classic. It recommends that multinational firms practise a form of globally conceived administration, regardless of the country of origin of its managers. However, an analysis of the...

Briefly reviews knowledge management (KM) and its development from concept to core competence. Shows how knowledge management is the tool that really enables organizations to “work smarter.” Works through the steps of the KM project lifecycle. Details the KM proposal development process and...

Introduces the key issues in management development that this special issue aims to tackle. These include: what is management development? Why is management development worthy of our attention? What is to be learnt and when? What are the most effective techniques? Approaches the task from first...

Management development (MD) is defined as the system of personnel practices intended to ensure that an organization can rely on timely availability of qualified and motivated employees. The article reports on a survey of 92 Dutch companies concerning their MD policy and practice. Results...

Charts the history of management development in the Shell organisation. Techniques established over many years were suddenly challenged by the economic forces of liberalisation, globalisation and technology. In particular, Shell identified two types of organisation that could profit – the...