Small business training needs, preferred channels, and barriers

Geoffrey Lee, Robyn McGuiggan

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

    Abstract

    Small businesses are recognized as important drivers of economic growth through their contribution to employment, innovation, and growth in western economies. Rapidly changing and increasing competitive global markets are forcing businesses to become more flexible, leaner, and more adaptable. Managers need to cope with changing business environments to remain competitive and thus they need to develop new skills and capabilities competencies. The literature suggests small business owner-managers often lack critical management skills and knowledge to efficiently and effectively manage and grow their businesses. This paper addresses the need for greater understanding of the needs of and barriers to training by analyzing the perceptions of Australian small business retail owner-managers. In a self-completing survey questionnaire, owner-managers were asked which management skills and knowledge they considered necessary, their preferred channels to deliver the skills and knowledge, and their perceived barriers to obtaining suitable training. Responses were analyzed using t-tests. Implications and recommendations for policy makers and educators are discussed.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)103-114
    Number of pages12
    JournalJournal of Academy of Business and Economics
    Volume9
    Issue number2
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

    Keywords

    • Australia
    • barriers
    • business management
    • channels
    • knowledge
    • owner-managers
    • skills
    • small business
    • training

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