The topic of the PhD dissertation by Per Tryding deals with the large resources which are devoted to executive management education in modern corporate life . But evidence that these resources are adding value for managers and their organisations has been lacking. In this study the issue of value added is explored using a mixed method approach of both qualitative interviews and statistical analysis.

The study concludes that executive management education develops two kinds of skills. One is related to "cognition" and one is about "people" skills. These are associated with satisfaction of attending as well as tangible results such as career progression but also organisational value added. In short, manager's careers are related to cognitive skills development, but their ability to deliver organizational results is tied to development of people skills. The study claims and specifies a learning contribution to value added in executive management education.

Time:   27.03.2009, 13.00-16.00
Venue: DPU, lecture hall D174

Assessment committee:
Russ Vince, Professor, University of Bath, United Kingdom
Pia Bramming, Senior Researcher, The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Denmark
Ib Ravn, Associate Professor, The Danish School of Education, University of Aarhus, Denmark (chairman)

Supervisors:
Bente Elkjaer, Professor
Richard Desjardins, Associate Professor