A typology of management development

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 identify four types of MD: administrative MD, found in lifetime employment environments; derived MD, where in “up or out” environments MD is strictly planned and linked closely to company strategy; partner MD, primarily found in innovative and IT environments where it is imperative to combine business development with human development; and leading MD, in turbulent market situations. In particular the link between MD and organization strategy, and systematic evaluation of MD practices, should receive more attention. The article compares the results with those of earlier empirical studies on MD.