ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explains the origins, the nature and the variety of corporate universities (CU). It illustrates the variety of strategic issues for which a CU may be created as a response, and reviews the formative choices that face those sponsoring or initiating a CU. The book explores the high-level political work that has to be accomplished – and sustained – in order for these strategic learning initiatives to succeed and to last. It describes and analyses an important case in Europe, which in many ways is prototypical in the range of issues that it surfaces. The book also explores the case of a company that has attempted to exploit the potential of e-learning not only to train its own workforce, but to extend that training to partners and customers – and even into the community at large.
