Internet review

Citation

McCourt-Mooney, M. (1999), "Internet review", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 18 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/jmd.1999.02618dag.001

Internet review

This section is being developed with the aim of providing information and insights into what the Internet can offer to readers of the journal. Because of the diversity in terms of experience and interest among readers this section will aim to be equally diverse. There will be some general sites of interest in the field of management development and research sites, along with sites to appeal to more specialist interests and updates on how to use MCB's site.

While usage of the Internet is increasing rapidly many readers will be already experienced users, there will always be potential and new users who will hopefully be encouraged to participate. We also want to stimulate debate and correspondence in this section through MCB's own Web site. The usual note of caution is needed about the rapid changes that take place on the Internet -- sites may change name and/or disappear but the information is accurate at the time of going to press.

Quality or quantity on the Internet

There does seem to be a gradual increase in the number of quality sites in general but it does take time to find those of value.

In this first section a selection of sites are considered which were highlighted under a general search for management development.

Management development institutes and providers

The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) based in Switzerland can be found at: http://www.imd.ch. In its introduction its origins are described as ''born of industry'' and it is quite easy to navigate around this site to find its executive development programmes, research projects, publications and programmes.

The latter range from events such as top management forums to specific seminars on general management and leadership. Current research projects sound interesting -- international HRM and managing the global workforce to name two and publications include case studies for managers. A functional site which is clearly set out but does not appear to be at the leading edge either in terms of content or design.

The EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development) at http://www.efmd.be/index.html is Europe's forum for information, research, networking and dialogue on innovation and best practice in management development.

There is information of current issues and on events and availability of resources some heavily weighted towards issues in the European Union; it does also contain the EFMD review and archived material on a wide variety of management development issues. The most intriguing aspect is that on the one hand it was not clear how one could join -- this is intriguing as most similar sites either start or end with a ''subscribe here/now'' statement; on the other there are photographs of all the staff, just a limited means of accessing the organisation.

It does raise the question of how much a Web site reflects on organisations' culture and competitiveness. The site is a colourful one and certainly gives a European-wide perspective.

McGill University in Canada's site: http://www.management.mcgill.cd/programs/x At first sight this is just a list of programmes offered and presented in a very unattractive way. By clicking on the following link: http://www.management.mcgill.cd/programs/EXECUTIV/EXECINST the management development page can be accessed. This is slightly more interesting than the previous page but possibly of limited value unless based in Canada.

The AMA (American Management Association)http://www.amanet.orgThis has centres in Europe, Canada and Mexico and at the European sites Management Centre -- http://www.mce.beThere are a variety of programmes on offer from their ''leading authorities'' events with speakers such as Mintzberg, Kaplan and Buzan on their specialist interests to new management skills programmes such as a management course for experienced managers.The detail of the content for each event or course is very comprehensive and would give any potential participant clear criteria against which to judge the suitability and relevance. A deceptively mundane-looking site on first impressions, but worth keeping an eye on for future developments.

Management development resources

Part of the GO network described as ''the only place you'll find the best of the Internet in one connected place'', is supported by Infoseek, ABC News, ESPN and Disney, a far cry from management development one may conclude. But the specific link to the following pages provides a different story:

http://www.go.com/WebDir/Careers/At_Work/Training/Human-resourcesBy following first of all the link ''at work'' in the ''careers'' section, topics covering issues ranging from ''commuting'' to ''work-place violence'' can be found. There are also links to Web sites which are rated from excellent to good, meaning that they are the pick of the top sites in the rater's view.

Workplace Learning Help Deskhttp://www.excelhrol.aust.com/This link is useful if you are based in the Asia Pacific region. There are articles, events and specific research reports on current employee development towards the year 2000; ''Workplace learning -- 2000, a new box and dice''. The site won awards for its design and while it is colourful and attractive in design it is quite specific in its wish to have an Asia Pacific focus.

It is always a difficulty in interpreting the criteria used to rate sites -- sometimes it is the design rather than the content or relevance that is the most important criterion.

On the other hand the section ''careers'' produced several interesting links to sites on everything from specific career development sites to a number which consider the issue for women in organisations facing the ''glass ceiling''.

One site was very broad-based and looked interesting for its mixture of business, a webzine called ''Shatter'' http://www.theglassceiling.com/shatter/ which presented all kinds of topics relating to women at work and at home and some humour too.

The Go Network itself, though, also provides links to news, views, specific interest, leisure activities, book stores and if you like to have a break while you are browsing the Internet you might enjoy these diversions. Certainly it is an attractive, easy-to-use site and it has been book-marked to review other recommended sites in a future issue.

Personnel Systems Corporationhttp://www.persysco.com/This highlights two main strands of interest: pre-employment screening and management development although the two are not explicitly liked together. The specific site for management development can be found at: http://www.persysco.com/html/management.htm This offers resources such as: ''Managing a successful team'', ''Think like a manager''.The contents look attractively packaged but there was a little too much euphoria about the amazing impact of the resources. An example, perhaps, of a site which may have some useful resources from time to time but which also has a clear marketing focus.

Coming soon

In the next issue we will be reviewing more sites and the section will bring readers up to date with MCB's Web site.

In the meantime please send any news of interesting sites, comments or reviews to the Internet Editor, Maggie McCourt-Mooney: E-mail: m@mmccourt.co.uk or fax +44(0)1442 870526 or by mail to: Berkhamsted House, 121 High Street, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 2DJ, UK.