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Recent research has identified trends in the training systems of 13 countries in Africa (Egypt, Mauritius, South Africa); the Arab States (Bahrain, Jordan); Asia (Australia, Fiji, Malaysia); Eastern Europe (Albania, Slovenia); Western Europe (Ireland, Portugal); and the Mediterranean region (Malta). The trends identified are legislation; councils/boards and authorities; national qualifications frameworks; skill standards and certification; workplace learning; and governments overtly promoting training quality assurance. Research suggests that human resource management practices are changing in response to the forces creating the new business environment. The forces include changes in the structure of production; turbulent business environment; and greater customer awareness. Three key and mutually reinforcing requirements for connecting business challenges and management development are clarification of the twin purposes of developing managers to deliver the current business model and develop future business models; development of effective strategic management and business, organization, and management review processes to connect business strategies with organization and management requirements; and management of the learning. (Four examples illustrate the integration of the trends into "bundles" of other activities to facilitate maximum effect. They involve high performance working; linking economic and human resource development; knowledge management; and skills recognition.) (YLB)