The expanding field of executive development programs was investigated. The field was found to be active and influenced by a number of different academic disciplines. However, no overall structure exists for guiding the examination, comparison or discussion of executive development programs. This work provides a structure in the form of a "framework for inquiry." The framework is then used to describe and analyze seven focus programs. Included in this study are the programs of the Naval Aviation Administration, Federal Executive Institute, Harvard University, U.S. Army War College, Center for Creative Leadership, Bell South, and the World Bank. All programs are thoroughly described and analyzed, but not evaluated. Use of the framework facilitates a comparative review of the similarities and differences of programs. This study demonstrates how a number of factors of the framework can combine to give a program a distinct overall identity. It also shows how certain factors may be very important in contributing to the identity of one program, but not important in contributing to another. This underscores the value of using the framework for inquiry in its entirety when studying executive development programs. This work also demonstrates other uses of the framework, including selection of a program by a prospective participant and development of a program by a sponsoring organization. The dissertation concludes with a prescriptive call for "program coherence," in which executive development program managers consciously align all program factors toward establishing and maintaining overall program identity. This identity should be consistent with the individual and organizational development goals of the program. / Ph. D.