CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION 1.0 Chapter Overview - DSpace@UM

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW2.0 Chapter OverviewThis chapter will first discuss the definition and concept of succession planning. Then,the existing literatures on succession planning will be critically reviewed.2.1 Concept and Definition of Succession PlanningThe concept of succession planning has been in existence for some years. Forty years agoit was called manpower planning, and was expected to ensure that the right number ofpersonnel of the correct technical competence would be available to an organization indesired locations so that corporate objectives are achieved (Walley, 1973). Carter (1986,pp. 13-14) defines succession planning as “a means of identifying critical managementpositions, starting at the levels of project manager and supervisor and extending up to thehighest position in the organization”. Succession planning also describes managementpositions to provide maximum flexibility in lateral management moves and ensure that asindividuals achieve greater seniority, their management skills will broaden and becomemore generalized in relation to total organizational objectives rather than to purelydepartmental objectives (Carter, 1986).Succession planning and management can also be defined as “a deliberate and systematiceffort by an organization to ensure leadership continuity in key positions, retain and15