O'Connor, Marion and Mangan, John and Cullen, John G.
(2006)
Management development in
Ireland: justifying the investment.
Journal of Management Development, 25 (4).
pp. 325-349.
ISSN 0262-1711
Abstract
Purpose – Drawing upon survey and interview data, this research paper aims to explore the usage
and impact of management development processes and practices in Ireland from an organisational
perspective.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper examines numerous related issues including: the
issue of aligning management development needs to business strategy; the usage of management
development methods; the development of high potential managers; and the assignment of
responsibility for management development. Tbe paper is the result of a study which included a
combination of 13 semi-structured interviews with HR/training managers and the completion of postal
questionnaires by 53 respondents from the HR/training management population in Ireland from a
cross section of organisations.
Findings – The study suggests that organisations are both concerned for their management
population, see their development as a key priority and are willing to invest in them. Organisations are
experimenting with the usage of numerous developmental methods and are particularly aware of the
benefits achieved from informal methods. Both reactive and ad-hoc approaches to management
development were observed.
Originality/value – This paper adds value to management learning and education theory and
concludes by highlighting the fact that before initiating management development activities,
organisations must question their rationale for investing resources in development. Failing to devote
time at the initiation stage of a management development activity will result in organisations trying to
“reverse engineer” and justify developmental initiatives upon completion. Organisations must become
more acutely aware of the indirect benefits that accrue from management development instead of
focusing all attention to the visible direct outcomes.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
Management development; Careers; Career development; Mentoring; Coaching; Ireland; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Business |
| Item ID: |
11249 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1108/02621710610655819 |
| Depositing User: |
Dr. John G. Cullen
|
| Date Deposited: |
14 Oct 2019 13:41 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Journal of Management Development |
| Publisher: |
Emerald |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
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