Addresses the following myths: manufacturers are all large businesses; services are the wave of the future; all manufacturers use new technologies; manufacturing jobs are low skill; manufacturing is unionized; manufacturers are resistant to change and care only about production. Suggests that advisors can help small businesses by serving as a…

Discusses the relevance of work-based learning to contemporary education and outlines changes that have occurred over the past few decades. Provides a case study of Adapt-University for Industry, a project that identified training needs and provided guidance on work-based learning opportunities for Scottish small and medium-sized businesses.…

In the late 1990s, the Czech government implemented policies to enhance the role of small/medium-sized enterprises in innovation, including grants, subsidies, and tax credits. Education and training have focused on information/communications technologies. Future policy developments must be guided by trends in the global knowledge-based economy as…

Five articles discuss the relationship between creativity and entrepreneurship, focusing on: measuring entrepreneurial success in ways other than monetary profit, developing an entrepreneurial culture in large organizations, creating a business based on development of a new software product, managing a fast-growing company, and evaluating business…

A sample of 400 Wisconsin business owners (69 percent response) and 200 potential entrepreneurs (27 percent response) identified the relationship of personal characteristics, motivational factors, and the decision to start a business, as well as perceived barriers to business ventures. Unsuccessful potential entrepreneurs differed from successful…

Describes the approach of the Economic and Employment Division of the Melbourne (Australia) City Council to creating jobs. The division started a business to recycle used lumber into furniture, providing training and jobs for several people. Following the success of that business, several new ventures were started with private funding. (CH)

Responses from 367 small businesses were used to formulate a four-step process audit: (1) business owner questionnaire; (2) interviews with owners and key personnel; (3) intensive observation; and (4) presentation of a detailed report. The process identifies areas of effectiveness/success and areas needing immediate or long-term action. (SK)

The study of entrepreneurship and the world of small business is recommended for gifted education programs. Benefits of entrepreneurship and small business education are identified and suggestions offered for the elementary, middle school, and secondary levels. (DB)

Compares Freire's approach to education with enterprise education (small business development as in the Durham University model). Concludes that there is more common ground than expected; educational approaches that ignore economic realities are inappropriate; and a bigger role for enterprise education focused on small businesses is possible. (SK)

The German Central Office for Continuing Training in the Crafts Sector develops continuing training for small businesses and works on teacher training. The focus is on quality assurance through continuing updates of concepts and development of new instructional media. (SK)

Two approaches to training for small/medium-sized enterprises were compared: a British distance learning program and an Irish program offering face-to-face training for micro-enterprises. Both used constructivist, collaborative, and reflective methods. Advantages and disadvantages of each approach were identified. (SK)

Australian vocational education policy emphasizes training over learning. Eight case studies of small businesses reveal that they make limited use of structured training; learning varied by educational level of staff and characteristics of the business. A more holistic view of how knowledge is acquired in business is called for. (SK)

Small businesses implementing ISO 14001 standards worked with a university to develop a learning network. The network served as a source of inspiration and reflection as well as a sounding board. It enabled small enterprises to act collectively, compensating for individual lack of resources. (SK)

Marketing students' action research projects in small businesses demonstrated that small business sustainability is enhanced by increased understanding of marketing and business students' employment potential is enhanced by exposure to small businesses. Such projects also provide material for case studies on specific marketing problems. (SK)

Discussion of the effect of globalization on SMEs (small and medium enterprises) in Europe focuses on a case study of a current European Commission (EC) project, Net Quality, which is based on the virtual enterprise as an intervention model that may encourage small businesses to cooperate in strategic ventures. (Contains 29 references.)…