Do high-flyer programmes facilitate organizational learning? From individual skills building to development of organizational competence

Provides an overview and a critical analysis of the concept of high‐flyer programmes in management development. Based on a discussion of the need for management development in modern knowledge‐ and service‐based organizations, discusses strengths and weaknesses of traditional management development programmes. In particular, presentsthe so‐called “fast‐track” programmes for high‐potential employees. Shows that although management development is supposed to be a vital contributor to organizational competence, learning, and change, high‐flyer programmes are (still) mainly an instrument for individual and personal career development. Presents an alternative interpretation of management development which emphasizes the match between personal growth and organizational learning, and which links career, organization development and competitive advantage of the organization. In conclusion, discusses implications for practice and research.