Management development in the public sector – what roles can universities play?

Abstract

The 1990s have seen wide‐ranging culture changes throughout the public sector, introducing a business focus and a customer‐led approach, resulting in the recognition that organisations must invest training and development in their greatest asset – their staff. In this context, there is a growing trend to use universities as external providers of training and development, reflecting the need for continuous professional development, for flexibility and for continuous adaptability to change. Explores a spectrum of partnership arrangements between universities and public sector organisations, and discusses the mutually beneficial outcomes which can result, including the development of continuous learning, culture change, organisational development initiatives and appropriate restructuring. Presents three case studies to illustrate these developmental partnerships and concludes by offering significant learning points to those public sector organisations planning similar partnerships to facilitate management development.

Citation

Mavin, S. and Bryans, P. (2000), "Management development in the public sector – what roles can universities play?", International Journal of Public Sector Management, Vol. 13 No. 2, pp. 142-152. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513550010338809