Search

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the training and learning strategies adopted by family businesses in Ireland. Design/methodology/approach: In order to implement the study a database of family businesses was compiled. A number of sources were used to compile the database. Primary data from a stratified random sample of independent unquoted businesses were collected. Data were collected from 121 family businesses using a postal questionnaire. Findings: The key findings of this study are that family SMEs appear to prefer an informal learning strategy than a formal strategy and family SMEs are hindered by the lack of financial resources so as to enable learning and training to occur within the business. Research limitations/implications: This study used a single-respondent, self-administered questionnaire. Future research should incorporate analysing other members of the family business--family and non-family members--so as to get a "wider" understanding of learning and training in family businesses in Ireland. Originality/value: This paper presents original findings in a highly relevant, but under-researched field--family businesses in Ireland, the issue of learning and training of family businesses. (Contains 2 tables, 3 figures and 1 note.)

Purpose: The motivation for this investigation is to apply social networking features to a semantic network portal, which supports the efforts in enterprise training units to up-skill the employee in the company, and facilitates the creation and reuse of knowledge in online communities. Design/methodology/approach: The paper provides an overview of an emerging area for work-related research in the field of knowledge management and collaborative online communities. Findings: The growing number of social network online communities requires a systematic assessment of the application and design of social network technologies, which makes this study relevant and timely. Practical implications: This paper gives guidance in an emerging research area with major implications for online communities and human resources management. Originality/value: Fulfils a need, since a lack of literature in the field is apparent. (Contains 2 figures and 2 tables.)

Purpose--The purpose of this paper is to investigate how a learning organisation can be created within the framework of the family SME in Ireland. Design/methodology/approach--No comprehensive list of independent family businesses in Ireland was available. To overcome this problem a pragmatic approach was taken in the construction of a sampling frame for this research. Primary data from a stratified random sample of independent unquoted businesses were collected. Data were collected from 121 family SMEs using a postal questionnaire. Findings--The results indicate that micro, small and medium-sized family firms display some of the characteristics of a learning organisation, but not all of them. Therefore, with strategic review, systems development and cultural change within family SMEs in Ireland, they have the potential to be learning organisations. Research limitations/implications--This study used a single-respondent, self-administered questionnaire. Future research should incorporate analysing other members of the family business--family and non-family members--so as to get a "wider" understanding of the family SME. Practical implications--A major contribution of this research is the identification of an existing and suitable theoretical background that can be applied to the study of the family SME, thereby providing a frame-of-reference for the analysis of family SMEs as learning organisations. Originality/value--This paper presents original findings in a highly relevant, but under-researched field--the family SME as a learning organisation. (Contains 1 figure and 7 tables.)