Purpose:
The paper aims to review the latest management development across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach:
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings:
The paper finds that the first purpose of corporate universities is not education. Corporate universities build up specific knowledge relevant to the business. They create a workforce that suits the corporate strategy of the company. In a globalizing environment superior skills can bring sustainable competitive advantage. The development of corporate universities has been a direct consequence of increasingly strategic human resources. They offer a flexible concept that can adapt to the nature of the organization's business environment, react to market changes and competitive pressure.

Practical implications:
The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value:
The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy‐to‐digest format.