The theory of learned helplessness is presented as a framework for diagnosing problems and planning remedial action in organisations. The elements of a successful change strategy are discussed and attention is focused on interventions designed to disconfirm expectations of on‐contingency...

A common approach towards enhancing managerial effectiveness is to focus attention on improving the knowledge and skill of the manager, i.e. training. This approach assumes that the main barrier to effectiveness is some deficiency in the individual. A quick and simple approach to diagnosing...

Presents the theory of learned helplessness as a framework for diagnosing problems and planning remedial action in organizations. Discusses the elements of a successful change strategy and focuses attention on interventions designed to disconfirm expectations of on‐contingency between response...

This study investigates whether there is a set of universal senior management competencies in the context of one large multi‐site service organisation. Four distinct work environments are identified and different lists of competencies are perceived to be important by managers working at the...

Gender‐centred perspectives of women managers and women in general characterise them as being more intuitive than male managers and men in general. Evidence for gender differences in cognitive style was sought by administering the Cognitive Style Index, a measure of intuition analysis, to...

The relationship between job dissatisfaction and the decision to leave paid employment in favour of business ownership is explored. Particular attention is paid to the level of job satisfaction enjoyed by the sample studied prior to founding a new business ‐ the job satisfaction of male and...

Explores the reasons why Britain has invested relatively little in management education and training compared with its major competitors. Reviews initiatives to improve the provision and take‐up of management education, and considers the role of business schools in this context. Identifies six...

The unemployed are a heterogeneous group comprising the able and disabled, young and old, men and women, black and white, unskilled and highly skilled. It includes those who have only recently lost their jobs and those who have been out of work for many years, those who have lost their jobs for...

Society's response to unemployment is influenced by its attitudes to those out of work. Typically, they are seen as outsiders, as deviants who need help to regain their normal status in society. An earlier article considered changing the individual as a strategy for ameliorating the effects of...

Hessling defines training as “a sequence of experiences or opportunities designed to modify behaviour in order to attain a stated objective”. The operative word in this definition is “designed”. As Hamlyn points out, people can learn to modify their behaviour as a result of all kinds of...