The Training of Chinese Managers: A Critical Analysis of Using Overseas Training for Management Development

Chinese policy makers are aware that developing China’s managers is crucial to creating competitive advantage in the post-WTO period. Consequently large numbers of Chinese managers have been sent abroad, particularly to Western and developed countries, on management training courses in order to bring new ideas and approaches to their organisations. This paper questions whether these training programmes have successfully achieved their objectives. An empirical study is adopted to invite the opinions of different stakeholder groups involved in the training process (526 participants). Specific characteristics of China’s overseas management training are discussed and problem areas are also explored.