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High‐flyers are a very important issue in organizations; however, the concept of high‐flyers is not clearly defined, nor are the assumptions behind this concept frequently discussed. Characterizes the high‐flyer concept through analysing popular notions in the German practitioners’ literature and analyses the ways organizations handle the high‐flyer issue. Finally, addresses the tacit assumptions and blind spots linked with this concept.

This paper presents the key‐results from a two‐year research project which focused on the motivation and developmental preferences of high flyers. High flyers were found to have a particularly strong desire to be in a position of authority and control, but their concerns were mainly about working to the best of their ability and making efforts to master new skills. They were found to be more motivated by competition with themselves than by competition with others. Surprisingly, they were no more motivated by the desire for material and financial rewards than the general population. The research also asked which development tools high flyers had found most useful. Mentoring was considered the most valuable, with job rotation and 360° feedback also rated very high. Commonly used development processes, such as career development resources and technical training, were viewed unfavourably by a significant proportion of the respondents.

The study aims to investigate the impact of store flyer characteristics on store performance for different formats (hypermarket and supermarket) and customer segments (additional and regular shoppers). Specifically, the paper tests propositions on how flyer duration, variety of featured purchasing options, the category and brand mix on feature and the method used to communicate the deal price affect store traffic and sales.

Data were made available for analysis by a grocery chain that utilizes a hi-lo pricing strategy. To test the hypothesis a multiple linear regression analysis was used.

Results indicate that optimal store flyer configuration is related to the store format. Moreover, the response to flyer promotion programs varies across customer segments in relation to their degree of store loyalty.

Findings can assist marketers to develop more effective promotional strategies with regards to the bundle of promotions to be offered and the way they should be communicated. Future research should extend the analysis to other retailers and trading areas. Furthermore, it would be useful to replicate the analysis by separating the impact of in-store activities and store flyer effects.

This is the first attempt to analyse flyer impact on store performance for different formats and customer segments. Prior research is confined to supermarkets, although the enhancement of store traffic is related to format size. Moreover, the traffic and sales implications of store flyer composition have so far been analysed in an aggregate manner, disregarding customers' shopping patterns.

This paper describes the results of research into the characteristics of high and low growth small and medium sized businesses in Scotland.

Gives 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 the strengths and weaknesses of traditional management development programmes. In particular, presents the 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, organizational development and the competitive advantage of the organization. In conclusion, discusses the implications for practice and research.

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.

Examines the discourse on high‐flyers in business (management) in academic and practitioner literature (journals and books), published in English in Anglo‐Saxon countries in the past 20 years, with a stress on the last decade (1986‐1995). Ideas, examples and experiences reported are (in descending order of emphasis) from the USA, the UK and Canada; with a token representation for other Anglo‐Saxon countries. Following an outline of the key imagery employed, analyses the literature in terms of the meaning of the said phenomenon: high‐flying (fast track, achieving, high potential) for the individuals and organizations concerned, as well as its wider societal ramifications. Discusses issues pertaining to human resource management, in particular women’s careers.

To investigate the career experiences of women professors in order to gain an in‐depth understanding of factors contributing to their present status of profession.

Data were generated from career history method on 31 women professors who have been identified as high‐flyers. They were selected based on a criterion that they achieved professorship at the age of 48 years and below. Each respondent was interviewed on questions addressing topics across the entire life stages. Constant comparative analysis of data was conducted to generate themes.

Reveals the factors associated with their fast performance in academia that were divided into two stages, i.e. career exploration, and career establishment and maintenance. Factors dictated at the career exploration stage are early exposure to learning, entrance to boarding schools, first degree experience and personal qualities, while factors that contribute during their establishment and maintenance stage are graduate study experience, career centrality, family support, uniqueness of academic role, health consciousness and sense of religiosity.

It involved women professors only in order to understand the complexities of women academicians and their careers.

Provides evidence and information on the subjective interpretation of a career in academia, which should be taken into consideration in promotion and selection exercises, especially re women academicians. It also enhances women's understanding of their own careers and the interplay of other aspects of life as well as organizational environments in their careers.

This paper offers practical information to inspired individuals, especially women academicians, in order to achieve professorship.

The author's interest in learning organisation development leads him to examine large French companies' practices regarding “high potential” executives policies and to question their selection and development processes and their capabilities to develop learning oriented organisations.The author also tries to explain why most large French companies are not yet familiar with this concept.

An analysis of the managerial and leadership characteristics of the French élite, as well as of the way they are trained in French grandes écoles and universities, can help to understand the kind of dominant style of leadership that features in the so called “high potential” executives in most large French companies.

The criteria against which these French “high potential” executives are discriminated explains largely their still very traditional hierarchical and centralised leadership styles, that are not favourable to build the more learning oriented organisations of the future. In addition most of the management development programmes for these executives stem from the traditional hierarchical leadership models that do not foster the necessary changes.

This article is based on the results of several studies performed in France by organisational sociologists about the corporate élite and the “high potential” executives of large companies and their development policies. The author relies on his participation in field researches but also draws from his extensive professional experience and in‐depth knowledge of these large organisations as consultant, trainer and speaker.

This article provides a critical approach of the mainstream “high potential” model based on the learning organisation philosophy. It proposes another vision of the “high potential” executive concept that the author believes to be more adequate in facing up to the challenge of the HR management and leadership changes that most large French organisations will likely have to face in the future. It also raises the issue of the adequacy of the present leadership development offer of the higher management education system. Although slightly political it aims at generating a debate about the very concept of the “high potential” executive, which is a major key to the necessary changes in the people management and leadership practices for the organisations of the future.

MUCH cogent reasoning is taking place with the Fabrics Aero Division of Firth Furnishings in Heckmondwike, redefining the materialistic questions alongside ever faster response requirement, often computer aided, of design.