This paper explores the role of "action" in entrepreneurial learning and illustrates how programs designed to support action learning can enhance management development in entrepreneurial businesses. The paper begins by exploring action learning and the way "action" is conceived in different types of program. In the second part, the paper details…

Reviews management training strategies used by small and medium-sized enterprises in Italy. Discusses solutions offered by distance learning, especially training delivered via satellite. (SK)

This article explores the characteristics involved when higher education institutions (HEIs) engage in management training in smaller firms. Building on previous research on how smaller firms and small firm managers learn and how these learning characteristics relate to the dominating culture in HEIs, the article suggests a tentative framework…

Purpose: In this paper empirical research is presented that investigates managers' perceptions of a variety of component management skills and techniques. The aim is to identify which management development needs manufacturing SME managers perceive as most important for their continued development, and to consider contextual factors that might…

Purpose: This article proposes the development of a conceptual model to help understand the nature of management learning in the micro business context and to inform research and policy discourse. Design/Methodology/Approach: The model is developed on the basis of a literature search and review of academic and grey literature. Findings: The…

The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training's (CEDEFOP) activities and research relating to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have focused on three areas of action: (1) development of training for SMEs; (2) information on the training provision available in the member states; and (3) promotion of the exchange and…

This report describes a study that identified major databases in operation in the 12 European Community countries that provide small- and medium-sized enterprises with information on opportunities for obtaining training and continuing education. Thirty-five databases were identified through information obtained from telephone interviews or…

These proceedings contain 3 speaker presentations and 17 workshop papers from a conference of experts who are involved in creating environments that encourage people to be creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial. The speaker presentations are "Creative Public-Private Sector Ventures--'The Success Series'" (Bettianne Welch), "Just Do It" (Wally…

Describes a week-long program sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission that brought together over 500 participants from middle-level management of small and mid-sized businesses, local governments, and public and nonprofit service agencies located in Appalachia. Participants were offered courses in total quality management, leadership…

Entrepreneurship education has been of national concern for many years. In the early 1970s, the major thrust of Federal leadership was directed toward the expansion of minority businesses. Following a Presidential Executive Order, a cabinet-level Interagency Council for Minority Business Enterprise was established by the Secretary of Commerce in…

A research project in the Ivory Coast, Kenya, and Tanzania evaluated the cost effectiveness of management training seminars for women entrepreneurs in the informal sector. Women, a large and growing part of entrepreneurs, had less access to needed resources, skills, and information than men. Reasons for failure to study the cost effectiveness and…

Descriptions are provided of the six programs selected as award-winning innovations on the basis of universal application and potential for greatest impact for the improvement of continuing education. Each description contains this information: program name, name of principal person, name and institution to whom award would be made, source of…

This book provides lessons for the woman who wants to advance her career within a corporation or by opening or expanding a business venture of her own. Chapter One, "Careers" introduces the types and varied career paths of the women entrepreneurs who are followed in subsequent chapters. Chapter Two, "Organizational…

These proceedings represent a compilation of the papers presented at a conference on entrepreneurship education that was designed to promote the infusion of entrepreneurial concepts into vocational education curricula. Included in the first section of the volume are descriptions of the following projects sponsored by the U.S. Department of…

This self-study unit focuses on managing resources--materials, equipment, personnel, money, energy, time, and information. The material is designed primarily for those in a supervisory or junior management position working within their company's policies and systems. The unit may be of value to the small business proprietor, as an introduction to…