Capability-building in SMEs by participation in a learning network

Learning resource limitations are critical factors
that influence the stability and future development
of SMEs. This publication explores how learning
networks help SMEs develop capabilities by resolving
their resource limitations. SMEs are key to
maintaining growth in economies but they have major
challenges that are often aggravated by their
relative size and small operational footprints. SMEs
form a significant economic force in many economies
including Ireland where this empirical study was
undertaken. Learning networks are mechanisms that
have been developed to assist SMEs in capability-
building. Research in capability-building has been
conducted in large firms but somewhat neglected in
SMEs. A literature review led to the
development of a conceptual framework and a cross-
case study analysis was carried out to robustly test
this framework. It focused on the Polymer and
Refrigeration industries in Ireland to investigate
how and why firms differed in their capability-
building acquisition while participating in a
learning network. The findings show that
participation in a learning network catalyses
capability-building in SMEs.

Autorentext

Dr McGovern BBS,MSc.(Mgmt.)Trinity College Dublin),MBA (Tech. Mgmt.), Ph. D., University of Brighton.He has many years experience in industry and academia. He is Programme Director for an MBA in Innovation Management and lectures in Technology Management and Strategic Management at the Institute of Technology Tallaght, Dublin.

Klappentext

Learning resource limitations are critical factors that influence the stability and future development of SMEs. This publication explores how learning networks help SMEs develop capabilities by resolving their resource limitations. SMEs are key to maintaining growth in economies but they have major challenges that are often aggravated by their relative size and small operational footprints. SMEs form a significant economic force in many economies including Ireland where this empirical study was undertaken. Learning networks are mechanisms that have been developed to assist SMEs in capability-building. Research in capability-building has been conducted in large firms but somewhat neglected in SMEs. A literature review led to the development of a conceptual framework and a cross-case study analysis was carried out to robustly test this framework. It focused on the Polymer and Refrigeration industries in Ireland to investigate how and why firms differed in their capability-building acquisition while participating in a learning network. The findings show that participation in a learning network catalyses capability-building in SMEs.