Enhancing learning in small businesses
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Human Resource Management Journal
Volume
33
Issue
2
First Page
470
Last Page
490
Publisher
Wiley
School
School of Business and Law
RAS ID
43696
Abstract
This study addresses knowledge gaps relating to how small business owner/managers facilitate employee learning and how distinctive characteristics of small businesses affect employee learning. Data were collected through interviews with owner/managers and employees and observation of conditions in the physical, social, and organisational environments that might help or hinder informal learning. The findings provide a situated, context-sensitive, and triangulated account relating to two research questions. We find that owner/manager physical and social proximity to employees is a key facilitating factor. Proximity creates the potential for owner/managers to facilitate learning through modelling, provision of immediate feedback and guidance. The owner/manager's positive influence on learning stemming from their physical and social proximity to employees is accentuated by owner/managers employing management styles facilitative of learning. Our findings suggest that a “family-like” culture and the social cohesion in the businesses had enabling effects on employee participants' informal learning, while their lack of opportunities for formal learning would have inhibiting effects.
DOI
10.1111/1748-8583.12438
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Coetzer, A., Redmond, J., Sharafizad, J., & Lundy, J. (2023). Enhancing learning in small businesses. Human Resource Management Journal, 33(2), 470-490. https://doi.org/10.1111/1748-8583.12438