Computer assisted training of complex managerial performance

摘要

The degree of training effectiveness in most prior management training technologies is considered. It is suggested that training should not only focus on the specific content of managerial tasks (e.g., what managers should think or do in response to certain task or situational demands) but should also focus on structural components of managerial effectiveness (e.g., “how” managers think and function, including the utilization of adaptive differentiation and flexible integration, especially in complex, fluid and uncertain settings). A training experiment employing two scenarios of a computer assisted quasi-experimental simulation is reported. Computer-based training was interspersed between exposure to the two simulations. Data indicate that training in both specific content and in structural components of management generated considerable improvement in performance. The degree of improvement after exposure to only specific training was diminished and restricted to simpler aspects of performance. No improvement was evident for those managers who were not exposed to training. Suggestions for future managerial training technologies are advanced.