search query: @freeterm innovations / total: 5
reference: 1 / 5
« previous | next »
| Author: | Zhang, M. MacPherson, A. Jones, O. |
| Title: | Conceptualizing the learning process is SMEs: improving innovation through external orientation |
| Journal: | International Small Business Journal
2006 : JUN, VOL. 24:3, 299 323 |
| Index terms: | small business organizations learning knowledge |
| Freeterms: | processes innovations |
| Language: | eng |
| Abstract: | The article aims to create a better understanding about learning processes in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Most models of the organizational learning processes are based on large companies. The SMEs are however different because they usually have limited management capabilities and means to acquire knowledge from external sources. The authors have obtained data from an ongoing project of Economic and Social Research Council regarding small firms in England. 26 owner-managers were interviewed and these interviews are analyzed in the article with the help of a conceptual framework. The results indicate that there are two very different groups of small businesses. The first group is the innovative firms whose leaders are outward facing and open to deeper and wider learning. The other group is the group of stable firms, whose leaders are inward facing, and learning in them is usually concentrated on small groups or individuals. |
« previous | next »
SCIMA