Blog: Corporate Universities Grow Their Cultural Influence

(From iedp) -- The corporate university's role in the executive learning sector is much debated. There is a body of opinion that it is an expensive indulgence and often results in the creation of little more than a glorified training department with a nice building; and there is the alternative view that a CU, sponsored by the most senior group executives can break away from the deadening weight that HR-backed programs often acquire and can be a vehicle for real innovation, reflection and development for the whole organisation.

Last week saw the 4th Annual Corporate University Forum at ESADE in Madrid, and predictably the view being expressed was the positive, progressive one. This year's Forum conclusions pointed towards the need to deal with the increasing complexities of developing the global culture of companies, as well as developing ways of measuring the results of training. The forum has become a reference for companies running corporate universities providing them with a birds-eye view of the sector as well as the opportunity to share experiences and best practice models.