To overcome barriers to participation in small business training faced by rural Australian women, training needs and delivery issues were identified and a good practice matrix was developed with the following components: marketing, content, delivery, support, impact, and innovation. Underlying principles included unique needs, diversity, use of…

Presents a case study of a dry cleaning firm that can be used as a classroom activity. Provides a 12-question exercise based upon data collected. Activities are designed for both individuals and groups. (KO)

Notes the difficulty of developing and managing a child care business well. Describes Sharlit and McConnell's (1989) five-phase model of business growth as it might apply to a growing child care program. The phases of development described are creativity; direction; delegation; coordination; and collaboration. (TJQ)

The University of Warwick's Breakthrough Technologies program links with small and medium-sized businesses to stimulate awareness of innovations. The Manufacturing Excellence Initiative provides postgraduate training for company staff that focuses on best practices and change management. (SK)

Examines participation in small businesses by 272 immigrant entrepreneurs in Ontario (Canada) using a theoretical model viewing immigrant enterprise as a product of class and ethnic resources in combination with a favorable opportunity structure. In Ontario, Hong Kong Chinese immigrants predominate among new ethnic entrepreneurs. (SLD)

This article points out the critical importance of up-to-date information for small business entrepreneurs and describes two innovative initiatives of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA): the national electronic bulletin board system called "SBA On-Line" and Business Information Centers in field locations. (JDD)

Part-time business students employed by small/medium-sized enterprises (n=22) generally considered course content relevant to small businesses, but thought guest speakers and case studies could improve courses. The students had problems finding enough time to assimilate learning. More flexibility in scheduling was desired. (SK)

Describes various programs in Appalachia that offer small loans and extensive technical assistance and training to entrepreneurs that operate microbusinesses (businesses with five or fewer employees). Discusses the potential of entrepreneurs and microbusinesses to stimulate economic development in small towns and rural areas such as Garrett…

Outlines the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) ladder adoption model which represents a limited/limiting vision of government-inspired support for ICT (Information and Communications Technology) implementation and development needs of firms in the small business sector of the UK economy. A more discriminate approach is recommended, focused…

Across the European Union there has been an increase in the number of programmes and initiatives aiming to promote small business and entrepreneurship. In line with this general trend, enterprise creation and entrepreneurship are increasingly recognised as vital for French post-industrial society, yet France is lagging behind Spain, the UK, Italy…

Studies show that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are reluctant to employ graduates and to up-skill existing employees. The cultural barriers exemplified by this unwillingness limit the ability of SMEs to exploit new knowledge and innovate. In conjunction with its goal of producing a "knowledge economy" the UK government is committed to…

The landscape of rural America is changing. Rural areas have been described as the country's "bread basket"--feeding citizens of the United States and many countries abroad. But these areas are struggling with declining crop prices, escalating production costs, and increased competition from overseas producers. Where amber waves of…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the importance of strategic human resource development (HRD) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with specific reference to key issues around training, development and education as well as an emerging issue of significance, age diversity management. Design/Methodology/Approach: The approach…

Encouraging entrepreneurship has become an accepted wisdom in economic management and government policy. It could only be a matter of time before the world of education was invoked as a means of furthering this end. Business schools have not made the most incisive contribution possible, and there is a significant expectations gap. So as we cascade…

Purpose: The UK Government policy for the training and development of its workforce reflects a desire to move towards a more flexible, "demand-led" system. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the outcomes and impact of two, publicly funded initiatives, designed to stimulate and enhance "demand-led" training within the UK's…