A survey of 6,000 British small businesses, 600 interviews, and 120 case studies found that 70-80% were family owned; most favored informal management styles. In family-owned businesses, training of nonfamily employees was considered less crucial; investments in the latter were related to long-term business strategies and potential succession.…

Small business education in Britain is underdeveloped in relation to other areas of management education. The underdevelopment is a product of the oversimplified stereotype of the small business manager held by many trainers and educators. (JOW)

Surveyed 110 owner/managers of independent restaurants to assess the communication attributes of information sources used for operational decision making. Finds that owner/managers of small firms use sources that are rich (providing added understanding), informal, and accessible both at startup and at stability levels. (MM)

Consists of an interview with one of the founders of the Canticle Bakery in Melbourne, Australia. The bakery was developed as a nonprofit venture and provides employment for about 13 young people as well as the founders. Emphasis is placed on quality of product and quality of work life. (CH)

Describes the efforts of a group of young women who, drawing on the support of community organizations, established a catering service that provides a low cost, culturally diverse range of foods in an area where that option was not previously available. Discussion focuses on starting the company, dealing with competition, and job satisfaction. (CH)

Interviews, observations, and document analysis in three small to midsize manufacturing companies revealed considerable formal and informal human resource development activities that support the companies' unique market niche by developing knowledge, skills, and abilities; integrate employees into company work practices; and enhance quality of…

Describes a chemistry classroom project of forming a company to acquire 10,000 pounds of zinc sulfate monohydrate from a company that wanted to dispose of it. The zinc was eventually sold to an agricultural company for use in fertilizer. (PR)

Evaluation of the British Graduate Enterprise Programme, which assisted first-time owners with business startup, found that fewer new businesses would be started without training, training costs were matched or bettered by profits by the third year of business, and training funds spent by government attracted twice as much in bank or private…

A literature review highlighted problems in entrepreneurship education: too much emphasis on knowledge and not enough on competence, not using small group methods, lack of evaluation of effectiveness, lack of research on the development of competence and its transfer, and lack of comparative research. (SK)

This article shows how the Norwegian Small Business Research Center and the Alabama International Trade Center have set goals and established procedures to bridge gaps and correct misconceptions between academics and entrepreneurs. Keys to formation of both organizations were involvement of well-thought of universities, a willingness to take a…

Pyong Gap Min and Edna Bonacich have both written about Korean Americans' immigration and occupational adjustment. Their variant findings are a result of individual philosophical differences. Discusses the practical implications of both writers' conclusions. (DM)

A survey of British small businesses (n=394) found that formative evaluation was used less than needs assessment. Managers had responsibility for evaluation, using informal feedback and questionnaires. Training was evaluated more often for operational than strategic purposes. Evaluation data were used for feedback and training more than return on…

Over 2,000 interviews and 74 case studies with small business owners, employees, and policymakers in Britain indicated that owners' attitudes to vocational education were positive, but actual provision significantly failed to meet their needs. They suggested that national training policy lacks coherence and continuity. (SK)

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)

Business management students in a graduate entrepreneurship course diagnosed and researched problems for clients of the Small Business Development Center and presented findings to clients, the class, and evaluators. The model gives students conducting experience and develops closer ties to the business community. (SK)