Outcomes of Outdoor Management Development: ″Articles of Faith?″

Abstract

There appears to be widespread belief in training benefits which can be derived from the use of Outdoor Management Development (OMD) despite an apparent lack of valid and reliable research in this area. Problems with operationally defining OMD may have generated some of the confusions and controversy which are evident in the literature. An examination of a widely used model of evaluation suggests that it may be prone to contamination by potential sources of systematic bias. Consequently, results derived from this form of evaluation are difficult to verify. Potential users of OMD may need critically to evaluate the evidence used to support claimed outcomes before deciding to use this form of training. The only current way for practitioners to gain valid and reliable evidence about the outcomes of OMD training may be for them to conduct their own evaluations. Undertakes a wide review of the available literature, providing tables, which shows the general characteristics of the literature sample, and the most commonly cited outcomes.

Citation

Jones, P.J. and Oswick, C. (1993), "Outcomes of Outdoor Management Development: ″Articles of Faith?″", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 17 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090599310026337