An Assessment Of Practices And Challenges Of Management Development Programs In Case Of Metawolkite Woreda Public Sectors, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

In today’s challenging and unsettling business environments, competent managers are needed more than ever at all levels in every organization. People want towork for organizations that are filled with competent and trustworthy leaders and work as team members. Real leadership can arise from unexpected places. The general objective of this research was to assess the practices and challenge of Management Development in Meta Wolkite Woredas public sectors. Descriptive research design was employed. In this research, both quantitative and qualitative research approach was used. The data were collected using structured and unstructured questionnaire. Both primary and secondary data were used. The primary data was collected from 140 respondents from the public sectors of Meta Wolkite woreda. Whereas annual reports, documents, and journals, published articles and the woreda’s quarterly reports would be used as secondary sources of data. Mean, standard deviation, frequency, and percentage were used in this effect's data analysis. Additionally, the information gathered through interviews has been examined in comparison to the information gathered from respondents through questionnaires and in accordance with the literature study. The findings clearly show that there was insufficient attention to MD programs intervention in woreda public sectors. Meanwhile, reports surfaced suggesting that management was not keeping as close an eye on the management development program's operations. Several limitations were also mentioned in the findings, including the absence of resources, limited access to training and the lack of skilled resource persons or facilitators. The study also showed that respondents' and interviewees' perspectives on the reasons behind blockages in management development procedures varied widely. Program design flaws and inadequate management development requirements assessment were also common. Most of the responders expressed the belief that no MD evaluation was occurring. The people who were interviewed agreed with this viewpoint as well. More than anything else, need analysis is the key to receive due consideration as it is the basis for all other MD processes. Given the solutions suggested for the success of MD programs in the recommendation part of the study, it is crucial for woreda to pay due attention for the preparation of a systematic and well-planned needs assessment. This of course has to be followed by stetting of achievable objectives, elegant design, coherent delivery and effective evaluation system. Generally speaking, the management's complete support and careful supervision are important to do this and maximize the benefits of the MD programs.