Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to investigate the term executive (managerial) derailment. Special reference was given to various research done in the USA at the Centre for Creative Leadership (CCL). Managerial derailment was analysed and the persons most likely to derail identified. Typical indicators for derailment were investigated. The cause for derailment, with special focus on six classical flaws and their intercorrelation, were studied. Preventative measures to combat the phenomenon of derailment were investigated on both individual and organisational levels. Some preventative recommendations were suggested. The state of derailment internationally was studied to ascertain if any time movement occurred. Derailment is still present today, while some of the reasons causing derailment is fading, others increases in strength. Cultural differences between European and North American managers were studied, and no differences were found. This were compared with a survey conducted by the author on 47 modular South African MBA students to determine the state of derailment amongst the respondents. The survey respondents positively confirmed the presence of managerial derailment. Derailment results recorded amongst the pilot group were similar to that documented in literature. Further in-depth study needs to be done to validate the existence of managerial derailment amongst South African managers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die deel van hierdie studie was om die term bestuursontsporing (managerial derailment) te ondersoek. Spesiale aandag is gegee aan verskeie navorsing gedoen by die Centre for Creative Leadership (CCL) in die VSA. Persone met 'n hoe ontsporingspotensiaal is geidentifiseer tydens die ontleding van die term bestuursontsporing. Tipiese aanwysings vir ontsporing is ondersoek. Ses klassieke oorsake vir ontsporing is nagevors met veral verwysing na interkorrolasies tussen hierdie oorsake. Voorkomende ontsporingsmaatreels met betrekking tot die individu en die organisasie is bestudeer. Veranderinge oor tyd in internasionale bestuursontsporingsnavorsing is ondersoek. Resultate dui, ten spyte van 'n verandering in die redes vir ontsporing, aan dat bestuursontsporing steeds plaasvind. Feitlik geen verskille wat aan kultuur toegeskryf kan word, word in die literatuur vermeld nie. In 'n meningspeiling onder 47 Suid-Afrikaanse modulere MBA studente het die outeur soortgelyke resultate verkry. Bestuursontsporing blyk teenwoordig te wees onder die studiegroep. Die oorsake vir bestuursontsporing van die respondente is bykans dieselfde as wat deur internasionale navorsing aangetoon word. Voordat die gevolgtrekking dat bestuursontsporing teenwoordig is onder Suid-Afrikaanse bestuurders gemaak kan word, word verdere in diepte studie vereis.