Priorities For Executive Development In Portugal

Based on a survey of 206 Portuguese managers enrolled in training courses in the Instituto Superior de Gestão during the 1999-2000 academic year, this article aims at establishing priorities for executive development in this country by detecting the lacks of knowledge of those managers. The article explores the importance given by the managers to four areas of a manager’s role (strategic vision, management tools, managerial skills and emotional capacities) and to several factors used to improve a company’s performance. It also addresses the degree of knowledge/skill the managers interviewed think they have in relation to those areas and factors. Finally, the assessment of different learning methods frequently used on management training programmes is also addressed. The results obtained showed that Portuguese managers are in urge for training in strategic and market-related areas. Leadership and decision-making skills should also be trained. When designing and implementing training programmes in these subjects, it should be taken into account that Portuguese managers prefer participated and realistic learning techniques.