Management training - are business schools out of touch with their market?

Describes how business schools are currently facing a recruitment crisis. Increased competition and smaller numbers of students have placed many business programmes in jeopardy. Clearly business schools need to get closer to industry and structure their programmes to match the needs of employers if they are to be able to survive into the long term. Reports the findings of research carried out to ascertain the needs of employers in Exeter. A postal survey was undertaken of 400 employers employing over 50 employees on a given site to ascertain in detail the scope and nature of the management training they were currently supporting. Data were also gathered in respect of the attitudes of employers to business schools and the criteria they apply to assist in their selection. Shows that Devonian employers are spending well under half the national average on training and a greater percentage of that training is now undertaken in-house. Management education continues to be a priority for most businesses although there are mixed perceptions in respect of the most appropriate mode of delivery. Finds that a greater participation with local enterprise is called for, together with the possible adoption of a consortia-based management programme which would incorporate a greater degree of flexibility to allow employers to “pick and mix” the training they require. © 1996, MCB UP Limite