This overview of teacher inservice education in Sweden has been complied with particular focus on the role of teacher inservice education (INSET) within the school development context. The term INSET refers to short-cycle training inputs, which tend to be of a general nature, e.g., social development, working methods in the classroom or cooperation between teachers. This conspectus is based not only on research reports but also on reviews of various publications presented in this field within the major international joint bodies. A description is given of the functions of INSET in the Nordic countries--Finland, Denmark, and Norway as well as Sweden. A review of the literature on school develpoment research is presented, focusing on improvement efforts occurring at local school levels, not on those intended to span the entire school system. A discussion is presented of the role that action research has played in developing INSET within the framework of school improvement efforts. Following a discussion of conclusions from the research reports and literature review, some recommendations are made for possible new initiatives on the part of local schools as well as school staffs. Fifty-two references are included. (JD)