ABSTRACT
The ongoing discussion of why and how human resource management has replaced the previously well established concept of personnel management is particularly relevant for and to some extent caused by the changing role of training activities in organisations. The survey analyses training and development prctices in the following areas: the strategic role of training and development, the use of systematic methods for analysing training needs and effectiveness, the role of line managers in training and development as well as the actual volume of training in European organisations. The close link between business strategy and human resource management, as well as the increasing focus on training and development and the revitalisation of experiential learning processes on the job all bring the human resource responsibility of the line manager into focus. Effectiveness of training is usually believed to require a thorough diagnosis of training needs. Otherwise it is doubtful whether the training activity will provide the employee with the desired qualifications.
